Ha ng up m Kitchen for Handy Reference 
T^ 1^^ FOWLER'S 

£. OUSEHOLD HELPS 

AND 

ECONOMY BOOK 

Brimful of " tried and true*' helps about the home, 
carefully compiled, classified and in- 
dexed for frequent use 



REVISED AND 
ENLARGED 

10c POSTPAID 



Some books are to be tasted, others to be 
swallowed, and some few to be chewed 
and digested ; that is, some books are to 
be read only in parts, others to be read, 
but not seriously, and some few to be read 
wholly and with diligence and attention. 

— Bacon 

THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THE FEW! 



Bran Bread — Mix 3 cups bran flour and 3 rounded teaspoon?^ 
baking powder; add -3 tablespoons molasses, 1>^ cups sweei" 
milk and 1 tablespoon melted butter. After thorough mixing, 
pour in well-greased pan (use small pan to get best results). 
Smooth off top with spoon dipped in water, and set over a 
warm oven about 35 minutes to raise; then bake slowly about 
45 minutes. Plenty of raisins added makes a delicious loaf. 

Try toasting bran bread for breakfast. For luncheon, spread 
bran bread with jam, jelly or honey. Peanut butter is also 
excellent on bran bread. 

Barley Flour War Bread — Use one cup each of white flour 
and barley flour and ]^ cup of rice flour; one tablespoon short- 
ening, li of a yeast cake, one tablespoon of sugar, one teaspoon 
salt, and one cup water or milk. This makes one loaf of very 
good bread. 

Old Fashioned Ginger Bread — Beat 4 tablespoons fat, gradu- 
ally add.ing 4 tablespoons sugar; add % teaspoon each of ground 
ginger and cinnamon, and 3^ teaspoon ground cloves, continu- 
ing the beating; add 5^4 cup boiling water; sift 2 cups of wheat 
flour with % teaspoon baking powder and % teaspoon baking 
soda and add, alternately with this sifted flour, J^ cup (level) 
of molasses, stirring and beating till perfectly smooth; then 
add a well-beaten egg. Put in shallow greased tin and place 
at once in steady, moderate oven about H hour. (All measures 
taken level.) 

To Make One Pound of Butter Equal Two, add gradually to a 
pound of butter, a pint of milk and a little salt, beating it with 
eggbeater or fork until smooth; you will have two pounds 
instead of one. 

Substitute for Butter for table use; Dissolve one-half tea- 
spoonful powdered gelatine in a tablespoonful of ^yater; add 
one-half cup of milk, moderately hot, and one-quarter pound 
good oleomargarine. Beat till creamy and cool in the icebox. 

Home-Made Peanut Butter — Grind one pound of shelled and 
skinned peanuts through food chopper twice, using nut-butter 
grinder; add one teaspoon salt, mixing well. 

A teaspoonful of above in home-made candy gives a delicious 
flavor. A little put in salad dressing gives a fine nut flavor. 

To avoid the dryness of peanut butter which makes it cling 
to the roof of the mouth, mix with it an equal amount of good 
tart apple sauce. 

To Bake Apples Quickly — Core apples and prepare for 
baking as usual; put them in water and boil till soft (about ten 
minutes); remove, and place in baking-pan, pouring some of the 
water over them in which they were boiled; sprinkle with sugar 
as usual. Put them in a hot oven about five minutes to brown. 
Requires less than one-half usual time. 



FOWLER'S 

HOUSEHOLD HELPS 

(REVISED EDITION) 

Brimful of ** Tried and True" 
Household Suggestions 



Hundreds of Useful and Valuable Helps About the Home, 
Carefully Compiled and Arranged in Conve- 
nient Form for Frequent Use 



CLASSIFIED AND INDEXED 



**Some books are to be tasted, others to be 
swallowed, and some few to be chewed and 
digested; that is, some books are to be read 
only in parts, others to be read, but not seri- 
ously, and some few to be read wholly and with 
diligence and attfntio7i.'' 

— Bacon 



THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THE FEW! 



Published by 

Household Publishing Company 

Albany. N. Y. 



To the many efficient and up-to-date housekeepers of our^ 
land this book is respectfully dedicated, in the hope that they 
may find something herein to further increase their efficiency. 
While the author does not guarantee the reliability of these 
household helps, they have been carefully compiled from " tried 
and true " sources, covering a period of many years, and will 
undoubtedly prove efficient if directions are carefully followed. 

The Housekeeper's Lameat ^\ 

Nothing but dirt, nothing but grime! ^ ^ '' ' 

We sweep and we clean and we scrub all the time; 
And though we keep cleaning, forever alert, 
We must lie down at last and be buried in Dirt! 



Copyright, 1916 
By A, L. Fowler 



Copyright, 1918 
By A. L. Fowler 



JUL 



K)IO 



IMPORTANT NOTICE 

This book is fully protected by copyright and any infringe- 
ment thereof will be duly prosecuted. 

Extra copies may be obtained at 10c each from any of our 
agencies or direct (postpaid), from the Household Publishing 
Co., Albany, N. Y. ©Gl.ASUIOOS 



•household helps 

Look in the Index for the principal word of the article about 
^ which you desire information. For instance, " To Open Fruit 
"*^ Jars," look under " Fruit Jars " ^^ 

IN THE KITCHEN 

To Prevent a Glass from Breaking when pouring hot water 
in it, first put a silver spoon in the glass. This method can 
also be used when pouring hot soup, hot stewed fruit, or any 
hot liquid in a glass dish or other fragile receptacle, the larger 
the vessel, the larger the spoon to be used. 

When Butter is Too Hard to spread easily, turn a heated bowl 
or pan upside down over the butter dish for a few minutes. This 
will thoroughly soften the butter without melting it. Heat the 
pan or bowl in the oven or by putting a little water in it and 
bringing it to a boil. 

If Vegetables or Other Foods Become Scorched, remove the 
cover at once and set the kettle in a pan of cold water. In 15 
minutes, the suggestion of scorch will be gone, or nearly so. 

When You Have Put Too Much Salt in Cooking Food, stretch 
a clean cloth tightly over the kettle and sprinkle a tablespoonful 
of flour over the cloth; let contents of kettle steam a few 
moments and the flour will absorb the surplus salt. 

If Soup is Too Salty, do not waste it; slice a raw potato and 
drop it in the liquid; leave for a short time and the salty flavor 
will disappear. 

To Keep Lid on a Boiling Pot — Drop a teaspoonful of 
butter into the water when boiling dx'-y beans, or other starchy 
vegetables, to stop the annoyance of the lid of the pot jumping 
off, as it will otherwise do. The butter acts the same as oil 
on troubled waters and keeps it calm and manai2:eable. 

When the Lids of Saucepans Need to Be Kept Raised while 
cooking, use a clothespin with a tack in the top near the head; 
place the pin over the edge of the pan the same as on a clothes- 
line and rest the lid on the tack. 

To Remove All Smoke from' a Room, in a few minutes, dip a 
towel in a little vinegar and hot water, wring out, and liing it 
oyer the head about the room. 

For Burning Kerosene — Wheat flour is the best extinguisher 
to throw on a fire caused by spilling and ignition of kerosene. 
This should be commonly known, as flour is always handy. 

To Put Out a Chimney Fire, throw a large handful of 
sulphur in the fire; the fumes ascend and extinguish it at once. 

3 



IN THE KITCHEN 



To Clean a Grater — When perforations in a grater become 
clogged, rub a crust of hard bread or cake gently up and down 
over the holes. In a few minutes it will be clean. 

Best Way to Strain Soup — Set a coarse stramer inside of a 
fine one and pour the soup through both to avoid clogging the 
fine one with pieces of meat, broken bones, etc. 

To Test Drinking Water — Fill a clean pint bottle with the 
water and add a half teaspoonful of granulated sugar. Cork 
tightly, and keep two days in a warm place. If water then 
looks cloudy or milky it is unfit to drink without boiling. 

Test for Watered Milk — Dip a knitting needle in the milk 
for a fev/ seconds; if milk is pure it will form in a large drop 
at end of needle; if watered, it will run down quickly and drop 
in several small drops. 

Test for Pure Butter — Put a little butter in a teaspoon and 
hold it over a flame; if pure, it will boil and foam; if adulterated, 
it will sputter as it becomes heated. 

To Keep Milk Sweet in summer, add to each pint two tea- 
spoonfuls of limewater. This is not harmful, but beneficial. A 
teaspoonful of fine salt added to eaeh quart also keeps milk 
sweet several days. 

Keep Paraffin in a lipped utensil or cheap tin teapot for quick 
melting and convenient pouring. 

To Clean Used Paraffin, so it can be re-used, heat it to the 
boiling point and strain through three thicknesses of cheese- 
cloth over a funnel. Repeat if necessary. If not too dirty it 
can sometimes be cleaned with a brush and cold water. 

To Prevent Jam or Marmalade from Burning, or boiling over, 
butter bottom of preserving pan before putting in contents. 

To Make Jam Transparent and Clear, add to every four 
pounds of jam a teaspoonful of glycerine about fifteen minutes 
before boiling is finished. 

To Prevent Jam from Crystallizing, add a tablespoonful of 
glycerine to each pint of jam when making. 

If Jelly Does Not Harden when cold, put the glasses in a 
dripping-pan half full of cold water; then cook in oven till done. 

To Remove Jelly from Molds — When making jelly, grease 
the molds with butter. When jelly is to be turned out, plunge 
the mold, an instant only, in hot water, or fold a hot cloth 
around it for a few minutes, and invert it over a plate. 

To Open Fruit Jars, strips of emery board, about one inch 
wide and eight inches long, are useful. Place the strip around 
the edge of the top, and give it a twist. 

To Open a Jar of Fruit or Vegetables Which has Stuck Fast 
— Place the jar in a deep saucepan half full of cold water; bring 



i 



IN THE KITCHEN 



"it to a boil and let it boil for a few moments. The jar will 
then open easily. 

To Keep Sealed Fruit from Molding, lay a small bag of 
mustard seed on top of the fruit and seal as usual. Another 
method is to put a few drops of glycerine on edge of the fruit 
jar before screwing on top to prevent mold forming on fruit. 
A little bag of mustard on top of the pickle jar prevents mold. 

Fruit Cooking Helps — When cooking dried fruits, such as 
prunes, apricots, figs, etc., add a teaspoonful of corn flour to 
each half pound of fruit. This makes a good syrup and 
improves the flavor. 

Add a quarter of a teaspoon of soda to each quart of acid 
fruit when stewing and much less sugar will be required. 

In cooking very sour fruits much less sugar will be required 
if a little salt is added. 

Dried fruit is far better if stewed in the oven and can be 
cooked while baking or roasting other food. Wash fruit, pour 
boiling water on and let stand in covered dish until oven is 
ready; then add sugar, cover tightly and let heat of the oven 
cook them. Prunes, especially, are delicious cooked this way. , 

When Cooking Cranberries, cook one-quarter of an apple" 
with each quart of the berries. This lessens the crudeness of 
their flavor without diminishing their tartness. 

For Salad Dressing, the vinegar from preserved pickles is 
better than ordinary vinegar; it gives a delicious flavor. 

Melted butter is a very good substitute for olive oil in salad 
dressing. 

A fine celery flavor for salads is made by steeping one ounce 
of celery seed in one cupful of vinegar. 

Mustard for Immediate Table Use — Mix well one table- 
spoonful flour, three tablespoonfuls French mustard and one 
tablespoonful sugar; pour over this one-half cup heated vinegar. 
Cook to a thick custard, stirring constantly. 

Add a drop of salad oil to mustard to improve the taste and 
keep it fresh several days. 

Mix a little salt with the home-made mustard and it will not 
dry and cake in the mustard pot. 

To Make Ripe Olives More Delicious, soak them over night 
in olive oil to which add a small piece of a clove of garlic. 

To Improve Olives — When opening the bottle, pour off brine 
and add one or two tablespoonfuls of olive oil; replace cork, 
shake well and let stand half an hour before using. They will 
have the rich flavor of the ripe fruit. This also orevents spoiling. 

To Prevent Olive Oil from Becoming Rancid, add t\vo 
medium lumps of sugar to each quart as soon as it is opened. 



IN THE KITCHEN 



To Keep Teakettle from Rusting, put a clean oyster shell in it.* 

To Clean the Teakettle and make it shine, rub it with 
kerosene and polish with dry flannel cloth. 

To Keep the Tea or Coffee Pot Svvect and Clean, put a table- 
spoonful of bicarbonate of soda in it, nearly fill it with water 
and boil awhile: rinse in several lots of clear warm water. 

When Putting Away the Best Tea or Coffee Urn, drop a small 
piece of charcoal in it and prop the lid open with a toothpick, 
to keep it sweet. 

Tea Helps — Alv/ays warm the teapot first by pouring in hot 
water a few minutes before tea is made. Use one teaspoonful 
of tea to each person, allov/ing one extra; pour boiling water 
on and let stand five minutes. Never use water which has been 
boiling nor water already boiled. 

To Greatly Improve the Flavor of Tea, thoroughly dry the 
peel from an orange or lemon, and place it in the tea caddy. 

When the Sweetness of the Cream is Doubtful and there is 
no more on hand, and it must be used, a pinch of soda will keep 
it from curdling, even in hot coffee. 

Coffee Helps — To obtain a real good cup of coffee, put the 
Aground coffee in a saucer and place it into a fairly hot oven for 
three minutes before making; this will bring out the flavor. 

Be sure coffee-pot is thoroughly clean inside. Boil strong 
borax water in it occasionally to keep it sweet and clean. 

When making coffee, always warm coffee-pot first; then 
sprinkle a little salt on the coffee before pouring on the boiling 
water and the flavor will be greatly improved. When coffee is 
ready, pour a dash of cold water down the spout to settle it. 

Instead of using cream, bring milk just to the boiling point 
and pour it steaming hot into the hot coffee, using enough to 
make it golden brown. 

To Prevent Cocoa from Lumping when making, mix a little 
sugar with it before pouring on the hot water or milk. 

How to Crack Pecsn Nuts and get the meats out whole. Pour 
boiling water over the nuts and let them stand tightly covered 
for five or six hours. The nut meats may then be extracted 
easily with no trace of the bitter lining. Use a nut cracker and 
crack lightly all around the nuts. The work is quickly done 
and the meats nearly always come out whole. 

To Make Popcorn Pop Better, sprinkle it with warm water 
just before putting it in the popper. In v/inter, hanging it out 
in the cold in a bag until needed will be found excellent. 

Paste Oilcloth in the Bottom of the Table Drawers, then you 
can wash them out and save tim.e lost in changing papers. 

Paste the Oilcloth on the Kitchen Table with flour paste and 



kt will wear twice as long as if tacked on, as it cannot move 
and wrinkle or crack when wiping it. 

To Remove Stains on Kitchen Table, use a little chloride ol 
lime in water; cover the stains with it and let it remain 3ome 
time; then scrub and rinse as usual. Also good for stained and 
grease-spattered wood floors or other stained wood. 

To Keep Flies Out of the Pantry, sponge the windows once 
or twice a week with a weak solution of carbolic acid and water. 

"Keep the Pantry Well Aired by covering the open window 
with muslin. This lets the air circulate, at the same time keep- 
ing out dust and flies. Set a small box of lime in the pantry and 
it will keep the air dry and pure. 

To Clean the Mica in _Stove Doors, rub it with a soft cloth 
dipped in equal parts of vinegar and cold water. 

A Good Stove Cleaner can be made by tying a piece from an 
old stocking over an old whisk broom. 

When Blacking Stoves, wet the polish with vinegar, or, put 
in a small piece of alum; it lasts longer and shines brighter, 

A Good Stove Polisher is a piece of burlap, for the kitchen 
stove or range when it is hot. As it does not burn readily, it 
is better than flannel, cotton cloth or paper. 

When the Stove Polishing Brush Wears Out, tack a piece of- 
old velvet over the worn-out bristles; it will polish as well as 
ever. Replace the velvet when it wears out. 

Excellent Stove Polish — Mix equal parts of kerosene and 
turpentine with a good stove polish to the consistency of thick 
cream. Apply to stove while slightly warm; polish with flannel. 

Instead of blacking the gas stove, rub it over with olive oil. 
This will keep it a nice black without much trouble. 

To Clean Gas Stove Burners, pick holes open with a large pin 
and apply a vacuum cleaner to take out the particles of dirt. 

To Keep Refrigerator Sweet, place a lump of charcoal in it. 

For Leak in Refrigerator Lining, pour hot paraffin over holes. 

To Polish Faucets, nothing is better than half of a lemon after 
the juice has been squeezed out. After scouring, wash it and 
it will shine like new. An orange peel also gives good results. 

A Useful Cleaning Fluid for removing oil and grease from 
fabrics, cleaning floors, windows, metals, etc.: Dissolve in two 
quarts of boiling water four ounces of castile or hard white 
soap shavings; cool, and add one-half ounce saltpetre, stirring 
till dissolved. Strain through cheesecloth and let it settle; take 
off scum and add one-half pint ammonia. Bottle and cork tight. 

Tablet or Slate for Kitchen Memoranda — Keep in the kitchen 
a tablet with a pencil tied to it, or a ten-cent slate and pencil 
hung upon the wall. The day's work is easier if each morning 



8 IN THE KITCHEN ^ 

the special tasks of the day are jotted down, and checked off a^i 
accomplished. Writing down groceries and supplies as needed 
saves time when going to store or the order boy calls. 

To Remove Fruit Stains from the Hands, wash them in clear 
water, dry slightly, and hold them over a lighted match. 

If Your Fingers Become Stained with Ink, wet the head of 
a match and rub it on the spots. Then rinse the fingers with 
soap and water and the ink will quickly disappear. 

Ink stains can also be quickly removed from the fingers by 
rubbing them for a few minutes with the inside of a banana peel. 

To Remove Stains from Hands, rub them with a piece of 
lemon; for stubborn stains use powdered pumice stone and 
lemon juice, afterward rubbing the hands with glycerine or 
rosewater. Aromatic spirits of ammonia will remove iodine 
stains from the hands. 

Paring potatoes in cold water prevents staining the fingers. 

To Prevent Stains Under the Nails — Dip the ends of the 
fingers in melted tallow before beginning a task which is likely 
to stain them. Or, rub the nails lightly over a cake of soap so 
as to fill space between nail and finger with soap. Do this 
^before blacking stove and put a paper bag over each hand, 
Wash hands when finished and all black comes off with soap. 

When the Hands Feel " Puckered Up " after long washing in 
soapsuds, rubbing them with vinegar or lemon juice will give 
relief, make them soft and white and prevent chapping. 

To Prevent Chapped Hands, use starch which is ground fine. 
Every time the hands are washed and rinsed thoroughly, wipe 
them off, and, while they are yet damp, rub a pinch of starch 
over their entire surface. Chapping is then not likely to occur. 

When Hands Begin to Feel Rough, rub plenty of almond 
cream well in just before retiring and slip on a pair of old loose 
gloves. If this is not effective, using camphor ice in place of 
the cream will improve the roughest of hands. 

A Soothing Lotion for Chapped Hands — Glycerine, eight 
grams; tannin, twenty centigrams; rosewater, forty grams. 
Apply daily, preferably at night just before retiring. 

Another good lotion is one part of aqua ammonia to two 
parts glycerine; add enough rosewater for a slight perfume. 

To Whiten and Soften the Hands — Moisten Indian meal 
with a little vinegar or lemon juice and rub the hands thor- 
oughly; wash off with hot water, and, before thoroughly dry, 
bathe them with glycerine lotion. 

Pure cucumber juice is an excellent whitener. Rub on hands 
before retiring, also a little cold cream at the same time. 

To Improve and Whiten Red Hands, rub ordinary cold cream 



I N THE KITCHEN 



in well and wear old gloves at night; occasionally use a solution 
of olive oil, one wineglass, to which add six drops of ammonia. 

Washing the hands in warm milk each night is also a good 
bleach for red hands. Another bleach is made of one ounce each 
of lemon juice, honey and perfume. 

To Remove Odors from the Hands — Put a few drops of 
ammonia in the water in which you wash your hands to 
remove all fishy odor after preparing fish for cooking. Ground 
mustard, or table salt, will also remove fish, onion and other 
disagreeable odors. Just rub it on and wash it off. Rubbing 
the hands with a stick of celery will also remove onion odor. 

To Eliminate Disagreeable Odors in the kitchen, burn dried 
orange rind on the hot stove. Oil of lavender on a bit of cotton 
sweetens the air in rooms where cooking odors penetrate. 

To Banish Offensive Odors from a sink or drain, pour down 
the pipe a strong solution of borax. 

To Remove Fish Taste and Odor from Forks and Spoons, rub 
them with a small piece of butter before washing. 

To Remove Onion Odor from Pans, Etc., which clings so 
stubbornly, wash and dry them, then scour with common salt, 
and place them on stove until the salt is brown. Shake often, 
then wash as usual. 

To Prevent Odor When Cooking Cabbage, cut the cabbage in 
halves or quarters, and. with a sharp knife, remove the little 
curl or center of the cabbage. Most of the strength is in the 
bud, and if removed will eliminate most of the unpleasant odor. 
A well toasted crust, or a piece of stale bread tied in cheese- 
cloth, added to the water when cooking will also reduce the 
odor. Another good method of reducing the odor is to put 
one teacupful each of vinegar and water in a small pan and let 
it simmer while cabbage is cooking. 

When boiling cabbage use plenty of water and put in a spoon- 
ful of salt and a lump of sugar. Boil quickly, with lid removed. 

To Eliminate Odor from Cooking Cauliflower — Prepare for 
boiling as usual and put a well toasted crust or a piece of stale 
bread on the top; do not cover, and remove bread when done. 

To Sharpen the Food Chopper when the knives become black 
and dull, run a piece of sand soap, or scouring brick, through 
the chopper as you would a potato. It brightens and sharpens 
the knives so they cut like new. Use pulverized sand soap or 
scouring brick. 

Food Chopper Hints — To fasten chopper securely to table 
put a piece of sandpaper under each clamp, rough side next to 
table, before tightening. 

A paper bag fastened over the opening of the chopper with a 



10 INTHEKITCHEN a 

rubber band, when grinding dry bread, etc., will prevent scatter- 
ing of crumbs. 

Nuts, raisins, citron, figs, dates, etc., can be run through the 
grinder together for cookies, cake filling, fruit cake, etc. Mix 
in with the ingredients a little of the flour which is to be used 
in baking and the fruit will not stick to the chopper. 

Cheese for sauce, macaroni, etc., will be smoother if run 
through chopper, instead of grating it, using a medium knife. 

To Keep Hot Fat from Spattering, sprinkle a little flour, or 
salt, in it before frying with it. 

Proper Way to Slice Bacon — Place it rind down, and do not 
attempt to cut through the rind until you have cut the desired 
number of slices. Then slip the knife under them and cut them 
free of the rind, keeping as close to it as possible. 

When Meat is Slightly Tainted, put in a few pieces of char- 
coal when cooking to make it sweet and prevent cooking odors. 

When Pounding Tough Meat, pound flour into it to catch and 
retain the valuable juices which would otherwise be lost. 

To Make Meat Tender — A tablespoonful of vinegar, or a 
teaspoonful of lemon juice, added to tough meat while it is 
T)oiling or roasting will -make it more tender. 

To Cook Meats and Vegetables Quicker and more tender, put 
a pinch of cooking soda in the water when boiling them. 

To Make Very Tough Meat Tender, rub baking soda into it; 
let it stand several hours; wash it thoroughly before cooking. 

To Prevent Meat from Scorching when roasting, and it is in 
danger of becoming too brown, place a dish of water in the 
oven. The arising steam will prevent scorching and the meat 
will cook better. A piece of greased paper placed over the 
meat is also good. 

To Prevent Roasted Meat Drying Out and losing its flavor, 
if it is to be served cold, wrap it in damp cheesecloth while hot. 

To Keep Gravy from Being Lumpy, add a pinch of salt to 
the flour used for thickening, before mixing it with water. 

If Gravy is Lumpy, beat with eggbeater till lumps disappear. 

To Prevent Sausages from Breaking or Shrinking in the 
frying-pan, boil them about eight minutes before frying them. 

Best Way to Singe Fowl — Pour a little wood alcohol in a 
saucer and light it. 

After Cutting Up Fowl, soak the parts for one-half hour in 
cold water in which dissolve a half teaspoonful of baking soda. 
This removes any unpleasant taste after dressing. 

To Make Fowl Tender — After a turkey or chicken is cleaned, 
rub the inside and outside thoroughly with a lemon before the 
dressing is put in. It makes the meat white, juicy and tender. 



^ IN THE KITCHEN 11 

Adding a teaspoonful of lemon juice, or a tablespoonful of 
vinegar, to the water when boiling also helps to make it tender. 

A pinch of baking powder added to the washing water 
improves the flavor of fowl and helps to make it tender. 

Adding a piece of. onion when stewing chicken greatly 
improves the flavor without the onion taste being noticeable. 

When Roasting Turkey, Etc., instead of sewing it after dress- 
ing is put in, insert a row of toothpicks on either side, slanting 
in opposite directions, and lace over these; they are easily 
removed after cooking. 

When Extra Dressing is to be Baked, get a dry loaf of bread, 
cut off one thick slice and scoop out the inside, leaving only a 
thick crust; then fill it with dressing, pin on the end slice and 
bake. It will be as delicious as if baked in the fowl. 

To Scale Fish Easily — Lay fish down flat in a large dish or 
pan and pour boiling water over it; then quickly take it out 
and plunge it into cold water. The scales will come off easily 
with little rubbing. A currycomb is better than a knife for 
scaling fish, as it protects the hands. 

To Prevent Fish Breaking Up When Frying — Put the pieces^ 
in the hot fat with the skin side up, and brown well before^ 
turning; there will be no possibility of the fish breaking up. 

When Freshening Salt Fish, always soak it about 20 hours in 
cold water, skin side up. Never soak fresh fish unless frozen. 

When Frying Oysters, add a little baking powder to the flour 
in which they are rolled; it makes them puffy and very delicious. 

To Prevent Custard from Burning while boiling it, add to it 
about half a teaspoonful of cornstarch. Adding a little salt 
prevents drying and caking in the pot and improves its flavor. 

Before Cooking Rice, grease the pan, or put a piece of butter 
in the rice, and it will not stick. 

Add to Boiling Rice a few drops of lemon juice to help keep 
the grains separate and make them white. 

A Little Scraped Maple Sugar on a dish of rice is delicious. 

For Damp or Lumpy Salt — Mix one ounce magnesium 
carbonate to four pounds salt; sift thoroughly before putting 
away for use. Cornstarch or rice flour is also good; use one 
spoonful to six of salt. 

To Keep Cheese from drying or mould, wrap in muslin or 
cheesecloth dampened with vinegar; keep in covered dish in a 
cool place. 

To Separate the Yolk from the white of an egg, make a 
small hole in each end of the egg, hold it upright and give it a 
slight shake. The white will run out leaving the unbroken yolk 
in the sh^U. If yolks are not wanted for immediate use, dip 



i 



12 INTHEKITCHEN | 

two small squares of white paper in the white and paste one 
over each hole; the yolk will keep fresh several days. 

Another simple method of easily separating the whites and 
yolks of eggs is to place the eggs in hot water a few minutes. 

To Keep Yolks of Eggs Fresh for several days if not wanted 
for immediate use, drop them into cold water and keep in a 
cool place — the cooler the better. 

When Breaking Eggs for Cooking and a piece of shell gets 
in the egg, touch it with a half shell and it is easily removed. 

To Keep Eggs from Popping When Frying, sprinkle a table- 
spoonful of flour, or a little cornstarch, in the hot grease and 
break the eggs into this. It also gives the eggs a better flavor. 

If Eggs to be Boiled Are Cracked, add a little vinegar, or a 
spoonful of salt, to the water and the whites will not come out. 
Boiling eggs in salt water makes them peel easier. 

When Boiling Eggs, wet the shells well with cold water before 
putting them in boiling water and they will not crack. 

To Prevent Eggs from Bursting While Boiling, prick one end 
of each egg with a needle before placing them in water. This 
makes an outlet for air and keeps the shells from cracking. 

To Keep Poached Eggs from Breaking, or sticking to the pan, 
put a few drops of vinegar in the water. 

When Hard-Boiled Eggs Are to Be Served Cold, place them 
in cold water at once after taking them from the hot water to 
prevent outside of yolks turning dark. 

When Making Pancakes, to keep them from sticking and to 
avoid smoke from greasing griddle, add two tablespoonfuls of 
melted lard to the batter; it will not affect the flavor. 

Pancakes Without Grease or Smoke — Make a small salt bag 
by tying a tablespoonful or so of salt in a piece of cotton cloth 
or thin muslin and rub it well over the griddle. Be sure griddle 
is hot and entirely free of grease and cakes will not stick. 

Lumps of Flour in mixing batter can be avoided by putting 
the salt in the flour before wetting. 

By pouring flour in the liquid instead of the liquid in the flour, 
and beating it with a fork, lumps will not form. 

To Cut Fresh Bread, heat a thin-bladed knife, or dip it in boil- 
ing water, and you can then cut the thinnest slice. 

To Keep Bread Fresh — (1) Wash a fresh potato or apple, 
wipe it dry and put it in the breadpan. It will keep the bread 
fresh for several days; or 

(2) Soak a small, new sponge in cold water and put it in a 
saucer in the breadpan. 

When Baking Bread or Rolls, put a saucepan full of boiling 
water in oven; the rising steam keeps crust smooth and tender. 



I I N THE KITCHEN 13 

To Freshen Bread, Rolls, Etc., dampen well the inside of a 
paper bag, place bread, etc., in the bag and close it tightly; then 
place in a hot oven for a few minutes. 

To Freshen Cold Biscuits, dip them in cold water and place 
them in a hot oven for about fifteen minutes; they will be as 
fresh as when first baked. 

When Bread is Too Brown from being baked in too hot art 
oven, do not attempt to cut it off, but as soon as the bread 
gets cold rub it over with a coarse tin grater and remove all the 
dark-brown crust. 

For Toasting Odds and Ends of Stale Bread, which would 
otherwise be wasted, use a cornpopper. 

Substitute for Breakfast Food — Stale bread thoroughly dried 
and browned in the oven, and ground fine with food chopper of 
rolling pin is fine for breakfast, served with milk or cream. 

To Divide a Shortcake, or loaf cake, when hot, without 
making it heavy or soggy, as soon as taken from the oven 
make a slight cut with a sharp knife where cake is to be divided, 
insert a strong thread, hold one end in each hand and draw it 
gently back and forth until cake is separated. 

If Oven Gets Too Hot while baking, set a pan of cold wates* 
in the oven to cool it. 

To Dissolve Lumpy Brown Sugar, put it in a pan and let it 
stand over a vessel of hot water a few minutes. 

Use Buttermilk in Place of Cream of Tartar for mixing cake, 
where called for; if the buttermilk is not sour enough, add a 
little vinegar. 

To Make Delicious Cake Without Eggs, dissolve a level tea- 
spoon of soda in a tablespoon of vinegar; use in place of eggs. 

To Make Cake Light, add a teaspoonful of glycerine for each 
pound of flour when mixing. 

To Prevent Cakes, Pies, and Other Pastry from Burning on 
Bottom, sprinkle the bottom of the oven with fine, dry salt. 

When Cake is Scorched on top or bottom, grate over it 
laghtly with a nutmeg-grater instead of using a knife. This 
leaves a smooth surface for frosting. 

To Prevent Cake from Sticking to Tins after baking, first 
grease the tins and then dust them with flour. Lightly beat 
out the loose flour, leaving only that which sticks to the grease. 
This excels the old method of lining pans with greased paper. 

To Remove Layer Cake, Etc., from Tin — When taking cake 
from oven, place cake-tin on a cold, damp cloth for a few 
moments and the cake will turn out of the tin quite easily. 

For a Change in Flavoring for cakes, puddings, custards, 
etc., use a half teaspoon each of lemon and vanilla flavoring. 



14 INTHEKITCHEN i 

Orange Flavoring — Do not throw away orange peel, but dry 
in oven; grate yellow part and use for flavoring cakes. It gives 
a delicious orange taste. 

Fine Orange or Lemon Flavoring for cakes, puddings, etc. 
When using fresh oranges or lemons, pare rind very thin (do 
not get any of the thick white inner skin), and put in a glass 
jar of granulated sugar; when sugar has absorbed enough oil 
to become moist, it is ready for use and will keep indefinitely. 

When Baking Cookies, instead of putting them in the pan, 
turn the pan upside down and bake them on the clean bottom. 
This prevents them from burning and is more convenient. 

Hint for Baking Gems — When filling gem pans with batter 
leave one pan without batter and fill with water. This will 
prevent the gems from burning on top. 

To Grease Cake, Muffin and Gem Pans, Etc., use a small, 
soft paint brush which has been dipped in melted butter or lard. 

To Make Muffins and Gems Lighter, grease the pans and heat 
in oven a few moments until hot before putting in the batter. 

For Mixing Cake and Pastry an old marble slab or piece of 
-plate glass is better than a wooden board. 

To Make Sweet Milk Sour, for cooking purposes, add a tea- 
spoonful of strong vinegar to a cup of milk. 

To Stone Raisins, pour boiling water over them, let stand 
awhile and the seeds can be easily pinched out. This also 
improves them for cake or puddings. Keep the fingers 
moistened with cold water and the seeds will not cling to them. 

To Prevent Raisins Sinking to bottom of bread or cake, first 
scald well; then dry thoroughly and roll them in flour. This 
may not prove effective except with a fairly stiff batter. 

When Making Fruit Cake, Etc., add the fruit before putting 
in the flour and the fruit will not sink to the bottom. 

To Prevent Berries, Etc., from Sinking to bottom of cake, 
sift all dry ingredients together (flour, sugar, etc.), and rub the 
butter into them instead of creaming as usual; next add the 
milk and then stir berries in lightly and they will not sink. 

To Prevent Chocolate Sticking to Pan, when melting it for 
cake filling, etc.. first rub inside of the pan with a little butter. 
Grease the cup in which you measure molasses and every drop 
will come out. 

Doughnut Helps — When frying doughnuts put a few whole 
cloves in the kettle of fat for a nice flavor. 

Doughnuts will not absorb fat if one-fourth teaspoonful or 
more of ground ginger is added when making them. The spice 
will not be noticed. A piece of ginger root put in the hot fat 
also helps. 



I INTHEKITCHEN 15 

An old cornpopper from which the handle is broken makes 
an excellent drainer when frying doughnuts. 

To sugar doughnuts, put three or four into a clean paper bag 
with two tablespoonfuls of pulverized sugar; close the top of 
the bag tightly with the hand and shake it a few times. 

A Doughnut Novelty — Roll some of the dough to about one- 
quarter inch thick: wrap it around a stoned date which has been 
stuffed with a walnut meat; fry in hot fat till golden brown. 

To Make Pie Crust and Other Pastry Flaky, add half a spoon- 
ful vinegar, or a little lemon juice, to the cold water in mixing. 

For a Rich Brown Crust on pies, loaf cakes, gems, etc., 
sprinkle them lightly with sugar. 

For a Rich Brown Gloss on Pies, Etc., beat up an egg well 
with a tiny bit of sugar; add a little milk, beat up well again and 
go over the pies with a pastry brush when ready for the oven. 

For Too Juicy Pies — Roll a soda cracker up in fine pieces 
and sprinkle it on the lower crust before filling with fruit. 

To Prevent Fruit Pies Boiling Over, add one tablespoonful 
of cornstarch to the fruit, and heat sugar, fruit and cornstarch 
before adding crust. 

To Prevent Juicy Pies from Running Over, sprinkle most of- 
the sugar, with a little flour and the spices, on the lower crust 
before putting in the filling, Moisten the edges of the crust, 
press them well together and heat slowly. 

To Prevent Soggy Pumpkin or Fruit Pies, beat the white of 
an egg and, before filling, brush the sides and bottom crust 
with it; then sprinkle with grated bread crumbs (do not use 
crusts), add filling and put at once in oven. Putting in the 
sugar when pie is half filled also helps keep fruit pies from being 
heavy. 

When Taking Pics from Oven, put a high wire rack under 
them until cool, to keep the crust crisp and free from sogginess. 

To Make Apple Pie Tender — If in doubt whether the apples 
in open-top pies are cooking tender, invert another pie pan 
over the pie and the steam will serve to cook the apples thor- 
oughly. Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice over the apples 
before putting on the top crust; it greatly improves the flavor. 

When Making Custard Pies, use a teaspoonful of flour and 
one egg less and the custard will be better and never watery. 

Heat Lemons Thoroughly Before Squeezing by dropping 
them into hot water for several minutes and they will yield 
nearly double the quantity of juice that they would if not heated. 
To Freshen Old Lemons that have become old and dry, and 
make them fresh and juicy again, put them in a pan of hot water 
and keep at an even temperature for about two hours. 



16 INTHEKITCHEN 

To Keep Lemons Indefinitely, place them in cold water, 
changing it once each day. 

To Prevent Onions from Making the Eyes Water — Scalding 
water poured over onions will keep the eyes from watering. 

To Prevent Green Vegetables Boiling Over, when they begin 
to boil drop in the center a piece of dripping, size of a walnut. 

When Cooking Vegetables, keep the lid on for all those that 
grow beneath the ground, such as beets, onions, etc.; but leave 
uncovered all those that grow above ground, as cabbage, etc. 

To Remove Insects from Vegetables whicli are being washed, 
put a pinch of borax in the water. It will bring any live insect 
to the surface at once. 

To Draw Out Hidden Insects from cabbage, lettuce, cauli- 
flower, greens, etc., when preparing them for cooking or for the 
table, let them stand in cold salt water one hour before using. 

Salt Added to Potatoes when nearly done insures flouriness 
and prevents them going to pieces. 

When Baking Potatoes, first put them in hot water for 15 
minutes; they will bake in one-half usual time. 

_^ When Preparing Potatoes for Boiling, instead of peeling the 

whole potato, just peel a narrow strip entirely around the 
middle of each. When cooked the skins will slip ofif easily. 

When Boiling Old Potatoes, add a little milk to the water to 
improve the flavor and prevent them turning dark in cooking. 

To Scrape New Potatoes Easily, put them in water with a 
little common soda for about two hours. 

To Peel Potatoes Easily, wash them and drop them into a 
pan of rapidly boiling water for ten minutes. Remove and 
strip the thin skin the same as when thoroughly boiled. They 
will still be practically raw for use in preparing dishes such as 
scalloped or French fried potatoes, potato chips, etc. 

To Peel Sweet Potatoes Easily — Before putting them in the 
oven, grease the skins; they will then peel easily without waste. 

When Baking Potatoes, first grease them with a little butter 
and they will be brown and crisp, with nice glazed appearance. 

For Washing Potatoes, Beets, Turnips, Etc., use a small 
brush. It does the work better and saves time and fingers. 

To Peel Turnips Quickly, cut them in slices and you can peel 
the slices much quicker. When boiling turnips, add a teaspoon 
of white sugar to the water to improve flavor and lessen odor. 

Quick Way to Peel Carrots — A few passes over a coarse 
grater will rid carrots of skins quicker than any other way. 

To Peel Apples Easily — Pour boiling water over the cooking 
apples; they peel much easier and it saves much time. 

To Skin Tomatoes, Peaches, or Beets, Easily, place them in 



INTHEKITCHEN 17 

a basin and pour boiling water over them; let stand a minute, 
then drain. 

Another method is to rub tomatoes all over with the baclc of 
a knife to loosen skins before peeling; said to be better than 
scalding. 

To Pare Pineapple Easily, cut it into rings and peel each slice 
wnth a knife separately. 

For Removing Silk from Corn when preparing it for the table, 
or for canning purposes, a small hand brush is better and 
quicker than the fingers. 

To Ripen Green Bananas, put them in a paper bag and lay 
them away in a dark place for a few days. 

How to Judge Mushrooms — Sprinkle a little salt on gills of 
mushrooms to judge their fitness to eat. If the gills turn 
black they are fit to eat; if they turn yellow, they are poisonous. 

Another test: Stir, while cooking, with a silver spoon; any 
foreign substance in them will turn the silver. 

Onion for Baked Beans — Bake a small sliced onion with 
Boston baked beans, or season them with olive oil, to prevent 
indigestion and add to their fine flavor. Grease the beanpot . 
with butter before cooking beans and it will wash much easier. ' 

Can Rhubarb in Cold Water — Cut rhubarb in pieces, pack it 
in jars, fill to overflowing with cold water and seal. When 
cooked it will taste like fresh. 

Remedy for Water Bugs — A small quantity of kerosene, or 
a weak solution of turpentine, poured down the drain pipe, once 
or twice a week will stop annoyance from this pest. 

To Rid the Kitchen of Flies or Mosquitoes — Place a cup of 
vinegar on the stove where it will simmer enough to make an 
odor; or, burn camphor gum on stove two or three times a day. 

Leaving a bottle filled with oil of pennyroyal uncorked in a 
room over night will also drive out flies and mosquitoes, etc. 

Spirits of camphor suspended from the bed or ceiling on a 
sponge or piece of flannel will drive mosquitoes from a bed- 
room. A few drops of the following solution on a towel, hung 
over the head of the bed. is also excellent: Spirits of camphor, 
Yz ounce; oil of citronella, ^ ounce; oil of cedar, 54 ounce. 

Home-Made Fly Paper (cost, Ic. per Vz doz. sheets): Take 
two pounds rosin and one pint castor oil; heat together till it 
looks like molasses; spread while hot, with a brush, over sheets 
of any paper and place about rooms. 

To Banish Roaches, use equal parts of plaster of paris and 
powdered sugar. Lime powder well spread about is also good. 

To Drive Cockroaches Away — Sprinkle powdered gum 
camphor about their haunts. Do not put near food. 



18 INTHEKITCHEN , 

To Clear Beetles Out of Cupboards and larders, sprinkle a 
little benzine over the boards. This method kills both eggs and 
insects. Powdered borax sprinkled about is also effective. 

To Rid the House of Spiders, saturate pieces of cotton wool 
in oil of pennyroyal and place them in their haunts. 

To Kill Crickets or Drive Out Ants, put cucumber peel, cut 
in thin strips, on the floor at night near their haunts. 

To Get Rid of Ants — To rid the house of ants, smear the 
cracks and corners of the infested rooms with balsam of peru. 

To Get Rid of Ants — Mix together a teaspoonful of sugar 
and a teaspoonful of tartar emetic; slightly moisten with water 
and place in saucers where ants are most numerous. 

To Drive Away Red Ants, use camphor gum, or pieces of 
cotton dipped in spirits of camphor and placed about their 
haunts, except near food. Try strewing whole cloves about the 
pantry shelves to drive red ants away. 

Red ants will also leave closets, etc.. where sea sand has been 
sprinkled or where oyster shells have been placed. Vv'^here black 
ants are troublesome scatter sprigs of wormwood about. 

To Trap Ants, place small sponges of sweetened water in 
saucers. When full of ants, plunge in boiling water and re-bait. 

If possible, find out where the ants enter; kill several and 
scatter them about the entrance; this frightens the rest away. 

To Prevent Rust on New Tinware, rub it over with fresh 
lard and thoroughly heat it in the oven before using; it will 
never rust, no matter how much it is put in water. 

To Remove Rust from Tinware — Rub the rusted part well 
v/ith a green tomato cut in half. Let this remain on the tin 
for a few minutes; then wash it and the rust will vanish. 

Kerosene Removes Stains from Tinware, porcelain tubs and 
varnished furniture. Rub with a woolen cloth saturated with 
it; the odor quickly evaporates. 

To Clean Tinware — Mix powdered whiting into a paste with 
household ammonia or sweet oil. Rub well with a rag and 
when dry polish with a soft cloth. 

To Clean Tinware — Apply common soda with a moistened 
newspaper and polish with a dry piece; it will make it like new. 

To Clean Rust and Stains from Tin — Rub them well with 
the cut surface of a raw potato, dipped in fine cleaning powder. 

To Preserve Nev/ Enamel Pans — Place them in a pan of 
water and let it come to a boil, then cool, and they will last 
much longer without burning or cracking. 

For Cleaning Frying and Sauce Pans, save covers of mustard 
and cocoa boxes, etc. Pound down one edge flat for a handle 
and scrape with the sharp edges, which fit round pans nicely. 



I N T H E K I T C H E N 19 

For Scraping Cooked Food from Cooking Utensils, keep a 
metal shoehorn hanging near the washing sink. 

To Clean Pans, Etc., Easily which have food baked or dried 
on them, put a little boiling water in them, and cover tightly; 
the steam will loosen it in a few minutes so it can be washed 
without a scraper. If food burns on enamelware, boil a little 
water in it to which add a teaspoon of cooking soda; cover tight. 

To Clean Stained Enamelled Ware, fill with water, add a tea- 
spoonful of chloride of lime and boil for one or two hours, or 
till stains disappear; then fill with pure water and boil. 

Best Way to Make Dishcloths — Take four thicknesses of 
cheesecloth, turn in the edges and quilt it on the machine 
about two inches apart. 

A More Effective Dishcloth — In knitting dishcloths, put in 
several rows of hard twisted cord. This hard part will clean 
many surfaces where it is unwise to use scouring soap or metal. 

To Wash Greasy Dishes one-half easier, dissolve a little 
washing soda in the hot water before washing them. Very 
greasy dishes should first be wiped with soft tissue paper. 

To Remove Tea Stains from China, dampen the spots witli 
warm water, then rub them hard with plenty of common salt. 

To Whiten Discolored China or Earthenware and restore its 
original whiteness, scour with baking soda, or vinegar and salt. 

To Remove Brown Marks from Dishes, caused by baking 
in the oven, rub them well with damp salt; wash ofif and repeat. 

To Identify Silver or Dishes Which Have Been Loaned at 
a picnic or other public gathering, place a small piece of 
surgeon's plaster on bottom of each dish and on under side of 
handles of spoons and forks; on this plaster mark your initials 
(in indelible ink if possible). The plaster will not come off in 
ordinary washing, but can later be removed by putting in a 
warm place till the adhesive gum melts. 

To Cool a Dish of Hot Food quickly, set it in a pan of cold 
salt water. 

Embroidery Hoops and Cheesecloth for Cooling Dishes — 
When putting puddings or other dishes out of doors to cool, 
use a cover made of embroidery hoops of proper size with 
cheesecloth put in as a piece of embroidery is. The contents 
will be safe from dust while the air can circulate freely. The 
hoops keep the cloth from getting into the contents and also 
weigh enough to keep it from blowing off. 

To Mend Broken China — Mix and melt a teaspoonful of pul- 
verized alum and a tablespoonful of water over the fire or in 
a hot oven until quite transparent. Wash the broken pieces in 
hot water, dry them, and while still warm coat the broken 



20 INTHEKITCHEN 

edges thickly with the melted alum before it hardens; then 
press together very quickly, for it sticks instantly. After dry- 
ing, they will not come apart even when washed in hot water. 

To Mend Broken Crockery — White lead is one of the few 
cements that will resist both heat and water. Apply it thinly 
to the edges of broken pieces, press them tightly together and 
set aside to dry. 

To Mend Broken China cheaply, make a thin paste of lime 
mixed with white of an egg; apply to broken edges and set 
together firmly; put in a dry place for a day or two to harden. 
Take only enough white of tgg to mend one article at a time, 
and mix well with a small quantity of lime. 

To Mend Broken China, mix to a creamy paste some plaster 
of paris and white of an egg, well beaten. Do not mix until 
ready to use as it sets quickly. 

To Clean a Slender Vase, fasten a piece of an old sponge on 
a stick and push it down into the vase; this will also be found 
useful for cleaning decanters and water bottles. 

To Clean a Decanter, put in two tablespoonfuls vinegar and 
ene tablespoonful salt; shake it up well and rinse in cold water. 

To Clean a Glass Bottle, cut a lemon in small pieces and drop 
them into the bottle: half fill with water, and shake well. 

When Washing Glassware, add a little washing blue and a 
few drops of ammonia to a basin of lukewarm soapsuds to make 
it sparkle. Dry with soft cheesecloth, polish with tissue paper. 

To Polish Glass — After washing glass, polish with dry salt. 

When Washing Cut Glass or Fine China, always put a turkish 
towel in bottom of washing bowl to prevent accidental chipping. 

To Give Cut Glass a Brilliant Polish, first, wash it in hot 
water, then dip it in cold water in which a handful of starch 
has been dissolved; let it drain, then polish with dry cloth. 

To Clean Cut Glass, wash it well in warm soapsuds and cover 
it with sawdust; when sawdust is dry brush it out very carefully 
with a soft brush which reaches all crevices. It will come out 
clear and sparkling. 

Lemon Juice for Cut Glass — Lemon juice is fine for polish- 
ing cut-glass tumblers as they are so delicate there is danger 
of breaking the stems. Fill a pan half full of cold water and 
place a cloth in the bottom; then add the juice of an entire 
lemon. Just dipping a tumbler about in this cleans and pol- 
ishes it and it only needs drying with soft linen. 

To Clean and Whiten Ivory Knife Handles, rub gently with 
fine emery or sandpaper; polish with clean chamois leather. 

To Make Scratched Silver Smooth Again, rub it well with 
chamois leather, rolled tight and dipped in sweet oil. 



INTHEKITCHEN 21 

When Washing Silver use a wooden tub or bowl if possible 
to avoid scratching or other damage. 

To Remove Egg Stains from Silver — Egg stains can be 
removed from silver by rubbing with fine table salt on a wet rag. 

To Clean Silver — Put a little peroxide on a flannel cloth, rub 
it on a cake of soap and apply to silver; polish with soft cloth. 

To Clean Tarnished Silver, use a piece of raw potato dipped 
in baking soda. 

For Tarnished Silverware — Fill an aluminum dish with water 
enough to cover articles to be cleaned and add 1 teaspoon 
baking or washing soda and 1 teaspoon salt for each quart of 
water; bring to a boil. When boiling, put in the silverware, 
keeping it covered a few seconds (be sure the silver comes in 
contact with the aluminum); it will come out bright and clean. 
Rinse in clean water and wipe with a soft cloth. A little whiting 
put in with the soda will contribute brilliancy. 

The same result can be obtained with a granite pan and a piece of 
aluminum, but be sure each piece of silver comes in contact with 
the aluminum^ as it is this which acts on the silver. 

Powdered aluminum in a granite pan also gives the sam« 
result as above. Use one-fourth teaspoonful of powdered 
aluminum and one tablespoonful of washing soda to a quart 
of water. Immerse silver and boil one-half hour. 

To Prevent Silverware from Tarnishing, first warm the pieces, 
then paint them over with a thin solution of collodion in 
alcohol. Use a wide, soft brush. This, nor the cleaning above 
mentioned, will not harm it in the least. 

When Silver is to be Put Away, rub it with olive oil and roll 
it in a piece of old table linen to prevent tarnishing. When 
required for use, it only needs washing in hot soapy water. 

Useful Cloths for Rubbing Up Silver or Plate which is in 
daily use. Dissolve one ounce of hartshorn powder in each 
pint of fresh milk, and boil soft cotton cloths in it for five 
minutes; wring out in cold water and dry at once. Dry silver 
before using. 

To Clean Aluminum — Scrub with soft brush and sudsy 
water; polish weekly with a non-gritty silver polish, or a paste 
of whiting and water, to keep it new and bright. Do not use 
alkali soaps, washing soda, ammonia or borax. Use steel wool 
and a neutral soap to remove discolorations. Boiling in clear 
water and a spoonful of vinegar is also effective. Lemon skins 
sometimes give good results. Fill burned vessels with cold 
water and boil half an hour to remove stains. 

Aluminum Dishes Can Be Cleaned on the inside by boiling 
tomato skins and bits of the discarded vegetable in them. 



22 INTHEKITCHEN 

To Remove Discoloration from Aluminum without injury, 
cut up a piece of rhubarb (either fresh or canned) in small 
pieces and boil them in the discolored utensil until clean; after- 
ward rub up a little for polish. Apple peelings are also good. 

Since aluminum is soft and easily scratched, any necessary 
scraping should be done with a wooden spoon. 

For Polishing Copper Kettles, Etc., rub with buttermilk 
with salt dissolved in it. Or, use one-half cupful of hot vinegar 
and three tablespoonfuls of salt, and after the tarnish is removed 
ziKtsh thoroughly in warm soapsuds to remove all acid; then dry 
and rub briskly with a few drops of olive oil. 

Window Cleaning Helps — Before washing windows, brush 
all dust off the frames. Do not use soap, or wash when the sun 
is shining on them as it will make them streaked. A few drops 
of kerosene in the water used for cleaning, or a little alcohol 
on a cloth for the final polish, will make the glass brilliant 
and crystal-like in appearance. 

A spoonful of kerosene added to a kettle of very hot water 
makes windows and mirrors bright and clear. Wring out a 
small clean cloth and rub it over the glass; leave for a few 
minutes and wipe dry with a large clean cloth. 

To Clean Windows Quickly, slightly moisten a rag with 
paraffin oil and rub glass well; after a few minutes, polish with 
clean, dry cloth, or old stocking legs — they leave no lint. 

After Polishing Windows, moisten a clean rag with a very 
little glycerine and rub it over the pane. Windows polished in 
this way do not '' steam " and will stay clean much longer. 

A Cold-Weather Cleaner for Windows — Dampen a cheese- 
cloth with kerosene and you can clean windows quickly in cold 
weather when water cannot be applied without freezing. 

To Keep Windows Free from Ice and polished, rub the glass 
with a sponge which has been dipped in alcohol, or wash with 
hot water in which a small handful of salt has been dissolved. 

To Prevent a Window Freezing Fast, so it cannot be opened, 
v/hen cold weather comes raise window slightly and sprinkle 
a fine, even coating of salt along the line where sash meets sill. 

When Windows Are Hard to Raise, pour a little hot lard into 
the casing to remedy the trouble. 

To Clean Windows — Rub thin, cold starch over the glass. 
Let it dry, then rub off with a soft cloth. 

To Clean Windows — First wash the glass with water to 
which a little ammonia has been added and then polish with a 
chamois, dipped in water and wrung as dry as possible. 

Cloths for Cleaning Windows Without Use of Water can be 
made with a semi-liquid paste of benzine and calcined magnesia. 



INTHEKITCHEN 23 

The cloth, which should be coarse linen or something free from 
lint, is dipped into this mixture and hung in the air until the 
spirits have evaporated and it is free from odor. This cloth 
may be used again and again and is a great convenience. When 
soiled, wash it and redip. 

To Remove Paint from Window Panes, apply to the spots a 
strong solution of hot soda, or strong, hot vinegar. Leave on 
till nearly dry: then rub off with woolen cloth. 

To Remove Old Putty without injury to sash or glass, pass 
a hot soldering iron over it. Or, cover the putty with soft soap 
and leave it on several hours. Either method will soften the 
putty so it can easily be removed with a knife or chisel. 

To Keep Lamp Burners Clean, boil them occasionally in a 
strong solution of borax water. 

To Clean Smoke-Discolored Chimneys, soak them a few 
minutes in warm soda water; then wash well, using a soapy 
rag, in warm water to which add a little ammonia. 

When Washing Lamp Chimneys, lift them out of the watei 
and set them on the hot stove; they will not break. Let themj 
steam; then wipe on clean cloth; t'hey will be clear as crystal. 

Put a Small Lump of Camphor Gum in the body of an oil 
lamp and it will greatly improve the light and make the flame 
clearer and brighter. A few drops of vinegar occasionally, or 
a teaspoonful of common salt, is said to give the same results. 

To Prevent Lamp Chimneys Cracking — Place a wire hairpin 
astride the top edge of a chimney to prevent cracking from heat 
and to prolong its life. 

Gas and Lamp Chimneys, earthenware and baking dishes can 
be toughened before using by putting them into cold water 
which is heated gradually until it boils and then cooled slowly. 

Take Lamp Wicks When New and soak them thoroughly in 
good apple vinegar and you will be delighted with the result. Do 
not wring them out. but hang near a stove or lay out on a plate 
until dry. This will double the lighting power of lamps or 
lanterns. With wicks thus prepared, only one cleaning a week 
is necessary, as wicks will not smoke or blacken chimneys. 

Before Using New Gas Mantles, soak them in vinegar and 
hang up till dry before putting them on the burners. They 
will give much brighter light and last twice as long. 

To Wash Painted Walls — Use two pails of lukewarm water; 
wet a cloth and sprinkle sparingly with baking soda; wash a 
convenient space, rinse with clear water and wipe dry. All 
grease and dirt disappears with very little rubbing. 

To Make Brooms and Brushes Last Longer and do better 
work, give them an occasional bath in two quarts of lukewarm 



24 INTHEKITCHEN 

water to which add four tablespoonfuls of ammonia; let 
bristles or straws stand in this one-half hour, then rinse thor- 
oughly and hang in a cool place to dry. 

Soaking new brooms in a strong solution of salt and hot 
water is also good; dry well before using. 

When Washing Linoleum or Oilcloth, to each gallon of 
water add a tablespoon of kerosene, or turpentine, to make it 
bright and new. Never use clear kerosene, it rots the fabric. 

To Clean Linoleum, use skimmed milk instead of water. It 
will keep it glossy, and will not rot it as water does. Rub well 
and polish with an old silk cloth. 

When Scrubbing Linoleum, add a little paraffin to the water 
to take out all dirt and grease and give it an excellent polish. 
Rub paraffin oil well into linoleum and it will retain its colors 
and wear twice as long as usual. 

Before Laying Linoleum put several thicknesses of corrugated 
paper, or even newspaper, on the floor. It deadens noise, makes 
floor warmer and linoleum wears longer. 

To Fit Linoleum, Matting, Etc., around pipes and odd-shaped 
places, put down a piece of medium-weight paper in the space, 
press fingers all around edge to make a crease, cut out with 
scissors and use as a pattern. 

To Clean Paint or Rust from Linoleum — When linoleum 
becomes spotted with paint or rust it may be cleaned by 
rubbing with steel shavings or emery paper. 

To Remove Grease Spots from the Kitchen Floor — Apply 
alcohol to the spots and they can easily be removed. 

Old Stocking Tops for Dusters or Dustless Mop — Old stock- 
ing tops make good dusters when sewed together. They also 
make good polishing cloths for oiling and rubbing down floors 
or furniture. Several old stocking tops cut in strips and dipped 
in paraffin oil make a fine dustless mop for hardwood floors. 

Worn-Out Broom for Floor Polisher — When a long-handled 
broom becomes worn out. instead of throwing it away, tie a 
piece of felt or flannel cloth around the head and make a good 
floor polisher. It will also keep linoleum in good condition. 
Footmarks can be rubbed off at any time without stooping. 

Cheap Polish for Varnished Floors or Linoleum — Take 
equal parts of kerosene, linseed oil and turpentine for an inex- 
pensive polish for oiled or varnished floors. An application of 
this polish to linoleum with soft cloth or mop keeps it like new. 

Linseed Oil for Kitchen Floor — Boiled linseed oil applied 
to the kitdhen floor, twice a year, will give a finish that is easily 
cleaned. It may also be painted over the draining board of the 
sink; this will do away with hard scrubbing. 



INTHESEWINGROOM 25 

Cheap Stain for Wood Floors — Ten cents' worth of perman- 
ganate of potash will stain a wood floor so it will look like oak 
and as though it had been that color for years. Put the 
permanganate of potash in an old tin and pour about one quart 
of boiling water over it; then, with a brush, paint over the floor, 
after it has cooled. When thoroughly dry, polish with some 
beeswax and turpentine. 

Wood Floor Stain — To equal parts of turpentine and boiled 
linseed oil, stir in burnt umber to suit; try a little, after mixing 
thoroughly, to see if color suits. Apply with brush, rubbing in 
well. After drying, a coat of boiled linseed oil will brighten 
it. One-half gallon is enough for a room 15 x 15 feet. 

Cheap Floor Stain — Mix Brunswick black with turpentine 
until desired color is obtained; it dries with a good gloss and 
polishes nicely. 

To Make Wallpaper Waterproof at back of sink, or other 
places, so it may be wiped with a damp cloth, coat with a mix- 
ture of one ounce gum arabic, three ounces glue, and a bar of 
soap, dissolved in one quart water. This coats a wide surface. 

IN THE SEWING ROOM 

When Hands Perspire and soil the sewing material, try 
bathing them with strong alum water, or alcohol. 

When Scissors Get Blunt, sharpen them by opening and draw- 
ing backward and forward on a piece of glass, or on the neck 
of a small bottle as though you were going to cut it off. This 
will sharpen the bluntest of scissors. Cutting sandpaper with 
the scissors will also sharpen them. 

To Prevent Oil from Soiling Goods after a sewing machine 
has been oiled, tie a small piece of ribbon, or cotton string, 
around the needlebar near the point where it grips the needle. 

To Tighten a Loose Sewing-Machine Belt, put a few drops 
castor-oil on it; run machine a few minutes and belt tightens. 

To Make New Silk Stockings Last Longer, rinse them out 
in soap and water before wearing them; but at this or any 
other washing be sure no soap is left in the silk. 

To Make Silk Stockings Wear Longer, darn heels and toes 
before wearing. When darning wears off, pull out and re-darn. 

Stocking Mending Help — For large holes, sew a piece of 
mosquito netting, or any coarse netting, on the inside of stock- 
ing, and darn through this until covered. For black stockings, 
use black net, or dip in ink or dye. Or, take thread or yarn 
somewhat finer than the stocking and crochet with a rather 
loose stitch until hole is filled. 

To Pull Short Basting Threads easily use a fine crochet hook. 



26 INTHEBEDROOM 

When Working on Silk and the hands stick to the goods, rub 
the hands lightly over a piece of sandpaper. 

When Cutting Fur, never use a scissors; use a razor or a 
very sharp knife to cut through the skin at the back. 

Stuffing for Pincushions — Use common rye meal, or washed 
and dried coffee grounds; vvrill not rust pins or blunt the points. 

When Hemming Sheets, Towels, Etc., on the machine, no 
tying of ends will be necessary if material is turned around and 
the stitching run along each side a couple of inches. 

To Shrink Thread used for drawn work, etc., so work will not 
draw when washed, put spool or skein of thread in a cup of 
boiling water an hour or so; this will not spoil the gloss. 

To Remove Sewing-Machine Oil Spots — Wet the spots with 
spirits of turpentine and wash out with cold water and toilet 
soap. Or, rub the spot with chalk at once; leave for a short 
time, then brush, and the spot will disappear. 

A Sewing Suggestion. — Keep a small, inexpensive flashlight 
in the sewing machine drawer to save many precious minutes 
and eye strain in threading a needle on a dark day or at night. 

IN THE BEDROOM 

Good and Cheap Sachet Powder for bureau drawers, etc. Mix 
one-half ounce of lavender flowers with one-half teaspoonful of 
powdered cloves. 

If Your Alarm Clock Rings Too Loudly, slip an elastic band 
around the bell to diminish the noise. The wider the band that 
is used, the greater will be the suppression. 

Spilled Water in Sick Bed — If water is spilled in bed when 
attending someone who is ill, it can be quickly dried by slipping 
a hot-water bag filled with very hot water between the bed 
covers over the wet spot and leaving it there a few minutes. 

To Clean Dust and Dirt from Bed Springs, set them out in 
the yard on a sunny day and turn the hose on them freely. The 
sun and wind will dry them in a few minutes. 

When Cleaning Brass, never use vinegar and salt or other 
acids as they increase the tendency of the metal to tarnish. 

To Clean and Polish Brass Beds — Rub them with a cloth 
slightly moistened with sweet oil; then polish with a soft, dry 
duster, and lastly with chamois leather. If this is done occa- 
sionally, it keeps them in good condition. (See also p. 53.) But 
it is better to use the lacquer, given below, after cleaning. 

Wooden bedsteads should be wiped every three months with 
a cloth moistened with turpentine to keep them clean. 

To Keep Brass Beds and Other Forms of Brass Work from 
Tarnishing, and also to avoid frequent polishing, the brass 



INTHEPARLOR 27 

should be lacquered with gum shellac, dissolved in alcohol and 
applied with a small brush. Ten cents worth will lacquer a bed. 

Clear, hard-drying varnish is also good for this purpose. 

For Cold Beds — Put several smooth layers of paper next to 
springs before mattress is put on and cold backs are unknown. 

To Destroy Bedbugs, beat together corrosive sublimate and 
white of egg; apply frequently with feather to bed and mattress. 

To Destroy Bedbugs — Force kerosene, gasoline or benzine 
thoroughly into all cracks and crevices with a hand syringe. 
Repeat four or five times at intervals of two or three days. 
Boiling water is good if poured over all parts of a metal bed. 

IN THE PARLOR 

The Best Way to Fasten Lace or Net Curtains over the poles 
is to fasten them with fine wire hairpins, known as " invisible " 
hairpins. These are so sharp that they can be pushed through 
the curtains without injury to the fabric, and are so fine that 
they are more invisible than pins. They never slip, out of place 
like small-headed pins, or become entangled in t'he lace like 
safety-pins. Put them perpendicularly (up and down) in the 
curtain with rounded head at the top. 

Filling for Sofa Cushions — Cut a roll of cotton in small 
squares, put in a pan in the oven and heat it half an hour. Do 
not let the cotton scorch. Each square will swell to twice its 
original size and will be light and fluffy as feathers for cushions. 

When Making Cushion or Pillow Ticks, rub wrong side of the 
material with paraffin to prevent feathers, pine needles, twigs 
of balsam, etc., from working through the covers. 

When Making Pillows for porches, etc., use oilcloth for the 
inside cover, and wash materials for the outside, and avoid 
worry when it rains. 

Rose Petal Pillow Stuffing — Dissolve a tablespoonful of 
salicylic acid in a pail of cold water; dip fresh rose petals into 
this and sp'read on paper to dry, turning them often. This 
preserves their perfume and makes an ideal stuffing. 

To Clean Picture Glass, use a cloth wrung from hot water and 
dipped in alcohol; polish at once, till dry and glossy, with a 
chamois or tissue paper. 

To Clean Photographs of dust or fly specks very easily, wipe 
them with absorbent cotton dampened with pure alcohol. 

To Remove Spots from Paintings or Chromos^ put a few 
drops of ammonia in a cup of warm water and apply carefully. 

To Brighten Bricks About the Fireplace, first, scrub with hot 
soapsuds, then apply coat of hot boiled oil, using a paint brush. 

Polish for Leather Upholstered Furniture — Turpentine and 



28 INTHEBATHROOM 

beeswax, mixed to the consistency of thin cream makes a fine 
polish for leather upholstered furniture. 

To Fasten Small Pieces on Furniture — For fixing on small 
pieces of wood chipped off furniture, use the white of an egg. 

To Keep Flies from Gilt Frames, go over the frames with a 
soft brush dipped in a pint of water in which three or four 
onions 'have been boiled. Or, grate a raw onion and apply the 
juice (full strength) with soft brush to both glass and frame. 
Also good for cleaning frames; no odor will be noticed. 

To Remove Fly Specks from Gilding — Old ale is a good 
thing with which to wash any gilding, as it acts at once on the 
fly dirt. Apply with a soft rag. 

To Clean Gilded Frames, use a weak solution of ammonia 
and water. Go over the gilt gently with a moist cloth; after a 
few moments, when dirt has had time to soften, repeat the 
operation. Don't rub hard; dry by dabbing with soft cloth. 

To Clean Gilt Frames, dip a soft cloth in the white of an 
egg, or milk and gently rub off the soiled spots. 

To Restore Gilt Frames to their former freshness, rub them 
with a sponge moistened with turpentine. 

IN THE BATHROOM 

For Clogged Wash Basins — Mix a handful of soda with a 
handful of common salt and force it down the pipe; then rinse 
the pipe thoroughly with boiling water. 

To Clean Bath Tub and Wash Bowl, some housekeepers like 
to use kerosene to take off the soapsuds and stain that will 
gather, but the odor is sometimes objectionable. To clean 
them in a jiffy use a half lemon rind turned wrong side out. 

An enamelled tub or bowl can also be cleaned, when thor- 
oughly dry. by rubbing it with a cloth which has been dipped 
in turpentine and salt; afterward wash with clean warm water. 

To Clean Mirrors — A little camphor rubbed on a mirror 
after the dust has been wiped off will brighten it wonderfully. 

To Clean a Mirror — Rub thin, cold starch over the glass. 
Let it dry on, then rub off with a soft cloth. 

For a Good Deodorizer, keep a bottle of lemon juice uncorked 
in the bathroom. 

Good Toilet Perfume — Put into a bottle two ounces of 
alcohol and one-half ounce orris root; cork tightly, shake well. 

A Good Toilet Water is made of two ounces of elder flower 
water and an equal quantity of distilled water. 

Oatmeal Bag for the Bath — Make a cheesecloth bag and put 
in it the following: Five pounds oatmeal, one pound almond 
meal, one-half pound old castile soap (powdered) and one 



INTHELAUNDRY 29 

pound orris root. Tie opening firmly with cord and drop it 
into the tub of warm water, leaving it in while bathing and 
shaking it about occasionally. 

For Perspiration Odor — This unpleasant odor often causes 
much annoyance. Instead of using perfumery, wash the body 
with warm water to which add two tablespoons compound 
spirits of ammonia; this leaves the skin sweet, clean, and fresh. 

For Perspiration Odor— -A little bicarbonate of soda in the 
water of your bath will kill perspiration odors. Also slightly 
moisten a little soda in the palm of the hand and apply same 
as soap to the affected parts; leave on a few minutes, then 
wash off. A fragrant effect can be obtained by adding a 
muslin bag containing a tablespoonful of powdered orris root, 
also a dessert spoonful of tincture of benzoin. 

To Clean and Purify a Soured Sponge — Rub a fresh lemon 
thoroughly into it and rinse several times in hot water; it can 
be made as sweet as a new one. A slimy sponge will be as 
good as new if steeped in vinegar and water for ten hours. 

IN THE LAUNDRY 

To Clean Dirty Clothesline — Wrap it around the washboard 
and scrub it with a brush and soapsuds. 

To Clean the Clothesline, also to prevent clothes freezing 
to it in winter, go over the line with a mixture of equal parts 
of baking soda and salt, sprinkled on a damp cloth. 

Boil a New Clothesline for one-half hour before using. It 
prevents stretching, it will last longer, and will not tangle. 

A Grape-Basket for Clothespins, with a wire hook fastened 
to the handle, will save much time when hanging out clothes; 
it can be pushed along the line and will always be handy for use. 

Heat Clothespins Well in Winter In a pan in the oven, when 
hot put them in a pin bag; they will not split nor freeze to 
clothes when hanging out, and will prevent chilled fingers. 

To Prevent Clothes from Freezing in the winter, add a hand- 
ful or more of salt to the last rinsing water. 

If a Washing Tub Leaks, press common laundry soap in the 
cracks from the outside for a quick repair. 

For An Excellent Iron Holder, use old stocking legs covered 
with a piece from an old kid glove. To keep the holder cool, 
pad it with pieces of leather from old shoe tops. 

Use a Heated Brick for an Iron Stand and the iron will hold 
heat much longer than when an ordinary stand is used. 

The Best Iron Smoother is an old telephone book or maga- 
zine, tearing off the sheets as they become soiled or torn. 

To Take Rust from Flat-Irons, tie some yellow beeswax or 



30 INTHELAUNDRY 

paraffin in a cloth, and when iron is warm, but not hot enough 
to use, rub with the wax and then rub it through sand or salt. 

To Perfume Handkerchiefs, put a small piece of orris root in 
the boiler when boiling, for a lasting, faint scent of violets. 

To Set Color in Delicately Colored Handkerchiefs, add a tea- 
spoonful of turpentine to a basin of lukewarm water and soak 
handkerchiefs for ten minutes before washing; wash as usual.* 

To Whiten Handkerchiefs or Linen — Wash as usual; then 
take one quart of cold water, add one teaspoonful of cream of 
tartar, and soak them over night. 

To Whiten " Yellowed " Handkerchiefs, soak them over night 
in a solution of pipeclay and warm water; then wash and boil. 

To Whiten Clothes — Put a slice of lemon, with rind on, in 
the boiler and boil it with the white clothes; it will remove 
stains and make the clothes white without injury. A teaspoon- 
ful of powdered borax in the last rinsing water is also excellent. 

To Help Whiten Clothes and save soap, add a little pipeclay 
to the water in which the white clothes are boiled. 

To Whiten White Goods that are yellow, put a few drops of 
turpentine in the water when washing; dry on grass in the sun. 
' To Whiten Clothes That Have Become Yellow, put some 
cream of tartar in an earthen dish and pour boiling water over 
it; immediately dip clothes in this several times but do not leave 
them in the water; rinse in three waters and hang in the sun. 

Best Way to Make Starch — Mix starch of the desired amount 
in a cup or bowl and pour it in the boiling hot water, stirring 
constantly, instead of pouring water on the starch. It will be 
clear and free from lumps and streaks. Add a good pinch of 
salt for each quart and it will not stick. 

For a good gloss on starched collars, first mix the starch with 
cold water, then add a lump of butter, size of a small marble, 
and pour it in the boiling water. 

To Make Linen Goods Glossy and prevent starch sticking to 
iron, add a teaspoonful of salt, or a few drops of turpentine to 
starch when making. 

To Prevent Starch Sticking to the Iron, sprinkle salt on a 
piece of brown paper and rub iron over it before ironing. 

To Prevent Starch from Sticking to the Iron — Borax and oily 
substances, or a small piece of soap, or paraffin wax, put in 
boiled starch when making, will increase gloss on article to be 
ironed and will prevent starch from sticking to iron. Kerosene 
oil is also good; use a teaspoonful to a quart of starch. 

When Starching Muslins, Ginghams, Etc., dissolve a piece of 
alum, size of a filbert, in every pint of starch to preserve the 
brightness of the colors for a long time. 



INTHELAUNDRY 31 

Milk Starch for starching black underskirts, dark percales or 
calico. Use sweet milk which has been skimmed after standing 
long enough for all crearn to separate; iron on wrong side. 
Articles will have same stiffness as when new. Also excellent 
for stiffening fine muslin or white lace. 

For Starching Fine Shirtwaists, Thin Dresses, Etc., use one 
teaspoonful plain gelatine to one quart boiling water; strain 
and use same as boiled starch. 

Gum Arabic for Starching Lace Waists and Thin Goods — 
Dissolve one teaspoonful of gum arabic in a cup of slightly 
warmed water; it requires several hours. Then add enough 
water to make one quart and use as cooked starch. 

To Make Flimsy Garments Almost Fireproof, dissolve an 
ounce of alum, or sal ammoniac, in the last rinsing water or in 
the starch; or, mix with the starch an equal quantity of whiting. 

To Make Light Clothing, Curtains, Etc., Fireproof, soak the 
articles for five minutes in a solution of one pound of 
ammonium phosphate to a gallon of cold water; this is non- 
poisonous, does not harm material, and can be kept indefinitely. 

To Bleach a Faded Wash Dress entirely white, boil in two 
gallons water in which dissolve a half cup of cream of tartar.- ^ 

To Make Water Soft, add a teaspoonful of borax to an 
ordinary-sized kettle of water, in which it should boil. 

To Make Water Softer for Washing — Use four ounces of 
alcohol and one-half ounce of ammonia. If used for toilet pur- 
poses add to this one dram of oil of lavender. 

A couple of teaspoonfuls of glycerine to a small tubful of 
water softens the lather in which flannel pieces are washed. 

To Protect Hand from a Gasoline Iron — When using a 
gasoline iron, a little steam always rises from the iron and burns 
the hand. Before putting on your glove, rub the side of the 
hand well with vaseline and this burning can be avoided. 

When Washing Wool Blankets, do not wring them — they 
will be softer and will hold their shape; hang them on a line 
dripping wet; whip several times while drying with wire beater. 

To Prevent Woolen Blankets from Shrinking, after wash- 
ing, put them on curtain stretchers to dry. 

When Washing Woolens, hang on the line dripping wet, 
without wringing; if dried in this way they will not shrink. 

To Restore Flannels, which have become hard and shrunken, 
to their former softness, soak them in gasoline. 

When washing flannels, thoroughly dissolve the soap or it 
will stick and the flannels will be patchy when they are dry. 

When Washing Dirty Overalls, if they are starched a little 
the dirt will come out much easier next time they are washed. 



32 IN THE LAUNDRY 

When Washing Dirty Towels, underwear, or any badly soiled 
article, instead of rubbing on the washboard or by hand, spread 
the soiled parts smoothly over the washboard, lather freely 
and scrub with a small, stifif bristle brush. It does the work 
quicker and better and saves the fingers. 

When Sprinkling Clothes for ironing, use a whisk broom and 
have the water hot, as hot water will dampen them more evenly. 

To Sprinkle Clothes Quickly, turn nozzle of the garden hose 
to a fine spray and sprinkle them while they are on the line. 
All plain pieces can then be rolled up and laid in the basket 
as taken down. Starched pieces may need further sprinkling. 

To Protect Clothing Spread on the Grass for Bleaching — 
When linen pieces or small articles of clothing are placed upon 
the grass to whiten, much trouble may be prevented by spread- 
ing a strip of cheesecloth over them and fastening it down 
with wooden pegs or hairpins. This does not prevent bleaching, 
keeps off worms and bugs, and prevents articles blowing away. 

To Clean Wringer Rollers — Kerosene is excellent for clean- 
ing the rubber rollers of a clothes wringer. After it has been 
applied rinse the rollers off with warm water. 

When Ironing Dark Calicoes, always iron them on the wrong 
side of the goods with irons that are not too hot. 

When Laundering Sash Curtains, never starch the hem; the 
rod can then be put in without tearing. Put a thimble, or an 
old glove finger, over end of rod and curtain will go on smooth. 

To Stiffen Lace Curtains so they will hang straight and keep 
clean much longer, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of flour to starch. 

To Ecru White Curtains — Boil one tablespoonful of black 
tea in one quart of water and use as much of the clear tea as 
necessary for the desired tint. 

To Make White Curtains Ecru or Cream Color — First soak 
curtains over night in cold water to remove all dust. In the 
morning wash in usual way and rinse thoroughly to remove all 
soap. Then put them in boiler with a tan stocking and remove 
when the desired color is obtained. 

To Preserye Color in Ecru Curtains when washing, add 
coffee, well strained throirgh cheesecloth," to the rinsing water, 
making coffee weak or strong as you wish tint lighter or darker. 

To Stretch Curtains Without a Frame — Fold the lace curtain 
double lengthwise; then pin it on a tightly stretched line with 
many clothes-pins and slip a clean pole inside the folded curtain. 
This stretches the curtain satisfactorily and saves time and 
money when a stretcher is not available. 

To Mend a Lace Curtain when torn, iron a piece of starched 
net ov^-'tl$^-hol€, -ifi stead of ^ 



^ IN THE lXUNDRY. ^^- J 33 

Right Way to Hang Skirts — In laundering skirts of pique, 
cotton or woolen, pin them to the line by the waistband so they 
hang straight down. If pinned this way they shrink evenly all 
around instead of sagging, as they do when pinned. 9.t the hem. 

Bleaching a Scorched Spot — If you scorch a piece of white 
goods in ironing, immediately rub spot with a cloth dipped in 
diluted peroxide; run iron over it and it will be white as ever. 

To Remove Scorch from Linen, rub the scorched part with 
a cut onion; then soak in cold water. 

'. To Remove Scorch from Flannel, rub it up and down with a 
cut onion, keeping flannel quite straight; wash in lukewarm 
water to remove o^or. 

For Bleaching and Washing Fine Muslins, Laces, Etc., dis- 
solve one tablespoonful borax in a little boiling water; then 
add one gallon water. 

To Freshen Chiffon and make it like new, hang it up in the 
bathroom when filled with steam: then hang in the open air. 

To Wash Lace, squeeze it first in hot soapy water, then in 
cold. Dip it in milk to stiffen it, and press on a well-padded 
board, on the wrong side, with a fairly hot iron. 

To Wash and Freshen Rusty Black Lace — Use equal partsi 
of water and vinegar, heat until lukewarm and wash without' 
soap. Rinse in a like solution and iron (on the wrong side) 
while damp, between flannel or bath towels, until dry. 

To Prevent Silk Garments Turning Yellow in washing, add 
a tablespoonful of wood alcohol to each quart of the rinsing 
water. Never hang silk garments on the line; wrap them up 
in a large towel and they will not turn yellow. 

To Wash Pongee Silk, use warm suds of white soap; hang in 
sun till thoroughly dry; iron on wrong side without dampening. 

To Wash White Silk — Use white soap and zvarin water, made 
•quite blue; add two teaspoonfuls ammonia to each quart water. 
Rinse well and roll in cloth; afterward iron on wrong side. 

To Wash a Washable Silk Waist, use soap and lukewarm 
water and rinse as usual; wring as dry as possible and put it 
into a pint of lukewarm water in which has been dissolved a 
tablespoonful of gum arable; wring out and fold in a dry 
cloth for an hour before ironing. It will be like new. 

To Wash Black Silk — Brush and wipe it well, lay it on a flat 
table, right side up, and sponge with hot coffee which has been 
strained through muslin; iron when partly dry. 

To Dampen a Fine Blouse Evenly for ironing, wring a towel 
from water, roll blouse up tightly in it and leave ten minutes. 

To Iron Over Buttons, Etc. — When ironing over blouses or 
frocks with large buttons or "hooks and eyes on, use several 



34 TO REMOVE STAINS 

thicknesses of blanket or Turkish towels to iron them on. Turn 
garment button-side down, and press on wrong side. The 
buttons will sink into the soft padding and leave a smooth 
surface for the iron to run over. 

To Restore Color — When color on a fabric has been 
destroyed by acid, apply ammonia to neutralize the same, after 
which an application of chloroform will usually restore the 
original color. The use of ammonia is common, but that of 
chloroform is little known. 

To Set Color in Wash Goods before laundering: Any colored 
fabric should have color set before washing, using the method 
below which is best suited to the goods: 

For green, blue, pink, pinkish purple, lavender and aniline 
reds, soak for 10 minutes in alum water, using three ounces of 
alum to a tub of water. 

For black-and-white, gray, brown, purple, and dark blue, soak 
in salt water, using one-half cup of common salt to a quart of 
warm water: soak one hour and rinse thoroughly. 

Wash in lukewarm sudsy water as quickly as possible after 
setting, rinse well, and dry in shade. If in doubt about goods^ 
first try a small piece as above and note carefully the result. 

Vinegar is also good for dark colors, using one-fourth cup of 
vinegar to one quart of water. 

Sugar of lead is best for delicate greens, blues, lavender, and 
tan. Use one teaspoonful of sugar of lead to one quart of 
w^ater; soak 15 minutes. Use this with care as it is poisonous; 
throw away the solution after using and wash hands carefully. 

To Prevent Mauve Colored Prints and Muslins from Fading^ 
or running in washing, put a little soda in the water. Soda has. 
just the opposite effect on mauves that it has on other colors. 

Soak Red Bordered Towels in borax water to prevent fading. 

TO REMOVE STAINS, ETC. 

All spots and stains can be removed much more easily before 
washing. Fruit stains, and tea and coffee stains, are probably 
the most common and they will usually disappear, when fresh,, 
if the stained portion is held taut over a basin and hot water 
poured from a height over and through it. 

For Fruit Stains on Colored Fabrics, use borax and ammonia. 

Camphor will remove most fruit, jam or preserve stains from 
white goods. Rub it on the spots before washing. 

To Remove Fruit, Tea or Coffee Stains from cotton or linen,, 
rub butter on them: then wash with hot water and soap. 

To Remove Fruit Stains from the Tablecloth, apply powdered 
starch while fresh. 



i 



k TOREMOVESTAINS 35 

Fruit Stains on Linen should be smeared with glycerine and 
left for about an hour; then wash the stains in warm soapy- 
water. Repeat the process if necessary. 

To Remove Fruit Stains from Linen — Before washing table 
linen and white garments all fruit stains should be well damp- 
ened with alcohol. All traces of fruit will vanish when washed. 

To Remove Obstinate Fruit Stains, use oxalic acid in the 
proportion of three ounces to one pint of water; wet the stains 
with this solution and hold over the steam from a teakettle 
or place in the sun. When stain disappears rinse well instantly, 
and wet with ammonia to counteract the acid, rinsing well 
again in clear water. 

Peach Stains should be removed with borax before wash- 
ing as soapsuds will set them so they cannot be removed. 
Peach stains can also be removed by dampening the stains, and 
covering them with cream of tartar. Lay article in sun till dry. 
If the stains have already been wet, try camphor on them. 

Egg Stains on Table Linen should be soaked in cold water 
before washing, as hot water will set them. 

To Remove Tea and Coffee Stains from any white goods, 
soak the spots with glycerine and let them stand for several 
hours untouched. Afterward wash with soap and water. 

Coffee Stains on Delicate Silk or Woolen Goods may be 
removed by rubbing gently with pure glycerine; then rinse in 
lukewarm water, lay a cloth on the wrong side over the damp 
part and press with a cool iron until dry. Avoid wetting more 
of material then necessary. 

To Remove Chocolate or Cocoa Stains, rub and soak them in 
kerosene; wash in cold water. 

To Remove Chocolate or Cocoa Stains from table linen, soak 
over night in cold water; then turn boiling water through them 
and wash. 

Borax, with cold water and soap solution, will also remove 
chocolate and cocoa stains. 

To Remove Red Wine Stains, from cotton or linen, sprinkle 
salt on them and then pour boiling water through them. 

To Remove Wine Stains from Linen quickly, dip them into 
boiling milk; keep milk boiling till stains vanish. 

To Remove Grass Stains — For delicate colors, wash the 
article in alcohol, or ammonia and water; if colors are not 
delicate, cover spots with a paste of soap and cooking soda. 

Grass stains may also be removed by soaking them in 
paraffin, or molasses; then wash in hot water as usual. 

To Remove Blood-Stains — To remove blood-stains from 
material which can not be washed, cover the stain with lump 



36 TO REMOVE STAINS i 

starch that has been dampened to the consistency of very thick 
paste. As the starch dries, the stain will vanish. 

To Remove Chev^ring Gum from Clothing — Hold a piece of 
ice tightly over gum for a few minutes. This causes the gum 
to harden and crumble so it can be brushed oflf without injury. 

To Remove Paint from Clothing, saturate spots two or three 
times with equal parts of ammonia and turpentine; then wash 
■out in soapsuds. 

Soak paint spots on silk or woolen goods in spirits of turpen- 
tine and let stand some hours; then rub fabric between fingers 
and paint will fall away without injuring goods. 

Medicine Stains can usually be removed with alcohol. 

To Remove Whitewash Stains, use strong vinegar. 

Stains from Acids can be removed with diluted spirits of 
hartshorn, repeating if necessary. 

To Remove Milk Stains, mix one part turpentine with two 
parts essence of lemon; rub gently with soft cloth till stain goes. 

To Remove Iodine Stains, immediately immerse them in a 
gallon of water to which has been added about two teaspoon- 
fuls of plain household ammonia; or, try chloroform or hypo- 
sulphite of soda. 

To Remove Blueberry Stains — Blueberry stains may be 
removed by washing at once with cold water and white soap. 

To Remove Rust Stains from cloth, wet them with lemon 
juice and hold close over the steam from a boiling teakettle. 

Tomato Juice for Iron Rust — Tomato juice will remove iron 
rust and fruit stains from wash goods. 

Rhubarb Juice for Rust Stains — The worst rust stains can 
l)e removed without injury to the fabric by the application of 
'boiling rhubarb juice. Afterward rinse thoroughly in cold water. 

To Remove Rust Stains, spread rust-stained part over a bowl 
of boiling water and rub with salt wet with lemon juice; then 
place it in the sun. Repeat till stain is light yellow; then wash 
the cloth in weak ammonia water and afterward in clear water. 

To Remove Iron Rust — Moisten spots with ammonia: then 
use salts of lemon or oxalic acid and rinse in boiling water. 

To Remove Mildew — Mildewed articles should be boiled in 
iDUttermilk. Rinse well in warm water after boiling and hang 
in sun. Will also bleach materials yellow from lack of use. 

Salt for Mildew — Mildew can be taken out by rubbing the 
stains well with a fresh tomato and covering with salt; after- 
-ward place garment in sun. 

To Take Out Mildew, mix equal parts of powdered borax 
and starch with half as much salt; moisten the whole with 
lemon juice, spread the mixture on the mildewed spot and place 



I TOREMOVESTAINS 2,7 

the garment in the sun on the grass. Renew each morning 
till stain disappears. 

Alcohol for Mildew — Mildew may generally be removed by 
dipping articles into alcohol. 

For Mildew, moisten stains and rub with soap; cover thickly 
with finely powdered chalk well pressed in. Lay article in ^r 
till nearly dry, and repeat two or three times. Or, soak the 
spot in strong vinegar, saturate with salt and rub well. 

To Remove Perspiration Stains from garments, apply a mix- 
ture of 3 parts each of alcohol and ether, and 1 of ammonia. 

To Remove Perspiration Stains from clothing, soak the 
garments in strong salt water before laundering. Perspiration 
stains may also be removed with diluted oxalic acid. 

To Clean a Muddy White Skirt, soak it in sour milk before 
washing. 

To Remove the Stain of Mud from dark clothing, first brush 
it, then rub it well with a freshly cut raw potato. 

To Remove Mud Stains from Clothing — Let them dry; then 
brush out as much as possible and apply a mixture of salt and 
flour. Leave a day or two in a dry place and brush oflf. 

To Remove Mud Stains from black silk or woolen goods, let 
them dry thoroughly, then brush off ^s much as possible. Wash 
any remaining stains with a piece of flannel dipped in hot 
coffee, to which a little ammonia has been added. 

To Remove Road Oil — Kerosene is best to take out road oil 
on most fabrics, as it evaporates and does not injure goods. 

To Remove Machine Grease from Clothing, add a little 
ammonia and soap to cold water and apply it to the fabric. 

To Remove Vaseline, soak spots in kerosene before washing. 

To Remove Grease Stains from any material without injury, 
apply a little eucalyptus oil with a flannel cloth; rub gently till 
stains disappear. 

To Remove Grease Stains from White Woolens, use cream 
of tartar and water or alcohol. 

To Remove Grease Spots from Black Woolens, wash in a 
solution of borax and warm water; rinse in clear water and dry. 

To Remove Grease Spots from Silk, rub a lump of wet mag- 
nesia over the spots, allowing it to dry; then brush it off. 

To Remove Grease Spots — To remove automobile grease, or 
any dark, heavy grease, from washable fabric, apply a small 
piece of butter and rub in well; then wash with soap and rinse. 

To Remove Grease Spots from tablecloths, coats, trousers, 
etc., saturate with turpentine; then sandwich article between two 
pieces of blotting paper and press a hot iron over damaged 
part a few minutes. 



38 TO REMOVE STAINS 

To Remove Wax or Tallow Stains, lay a piece of brown paper 
over them and apply a hot iron. After one or two applications 
the paper absorbs wax or tallow from cloth, leaving no trace. 

To Remove Tar or Pitch Stains, put a little lard, or sweet oil, 
or butter, on the spots; let them stand a few hours, then wash 
with soap and warm water. 

To Remove Indelible Ink, use potassium permanganate, in 
the proportion of one grain of the crystals to one quart of water. 

To Remove Indelible Ink, use equal parts of turpentine and 
ammonia when all other methods fail. Saturate garment well, 
and let it soak; then rinse thoroughly in warm water. 

Important — When removing fresh ink stains, first always 
absorb as much as possible with blotting-paper, flour, or starch. 

To Remove Ink Stains from colored fabrics, apply a little 
ammonia sulphide; wash, first, in clear water, and then in 
diluted hydrochloric acid. For small stains, use a medicine 
dropper to prevent the liquid spreading, and have clean blotting- 
paper handy to absorb the surplus liquid. 

To Remove Ink Stains from Linen, at once spread hot tallow 
from a melted candle over them; let dry, then wash as usual. 

Chinese Plan for Removing Ink Stains — Wash the article 
with boiled rice; rub the rice on the stain as you would soap, 
and wash with clear water. If first application is not effective, 
repeat the process. This has been found to work like magic, 
even with stains not discovered until entirely dry. 

A Sure Cure for Ink Stains on wash materials; Before 
■washing, pour a tablespoonful of kerosene on the stains and rub 
well; then rinse in kerosene and the spots will vanish. 

To Remove Ink Stains without damage to the fabric, place 
the stained part over a saucer and cover it with powdered 
borax; then pour peroxide of hydrogen over the borax. Do 
not pour water over the borax. The stain will quickly disappear. 

For Red Ink Stains, try ammonia and water, rinsing well. 

Red or Black Ink Stains Can Be Removed without injury to 
the most delicately colored material. Mix some mustard to a 
thick paste and spread it over the stain. After twenty-four 
hours sponge well with cold water; no trace of ink will remain. 

To Remove Ink from Linen After it Has Dried In, wash out 
as much ink as possible in a pan of milk. Then put article to 
soak in another pan of milk, letting it stand until milk turns 
to clabber. Then wash out and no trace of ink will remain. 

Ink Stains in cotton, silk and woolen goods can be removed 
by saturating in spirits of turpentine; let remain several hours, 
then rub between the hands. 

If Ink Is Spilled on the Carpet, wash it out at once with sweet 



I 



i MISCELLANEOUS 39 

milk and sprinkle it with white cornmeal. Let remain over 
night. Next morning sweep it up and the colors will remain 
bright. A paste made of sweet milk and cornmeal left on the 
spots over night and then swept off will also give good results. 
To Remove Ink from a Carpet, soak up as much of it as 
possible with blotting paper. Then saturate the spot with 
plenty of milk, and after some time, having removed the milk 
with blotting paper, rub the carpet with a clean cloth. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

To Avoid Mistakes with Poison — When poison is kept in the 
house, push two stout, sharp-pointed pins through the corks 
crosswise. The pricking points warn even the most careless. 

To Pick Up Broken Glass Easily, even the smallest pieces, 
pat gently with a bit of wet absorbent cotton, or a damp woolen 
cloth, which can afterward be destroyed by burning. 

For Leaky Vases or Other Bric-a-Brac — Take some melted 
paraffin and pour it into the vase and let it harden over the spot 
where the leak occurs. It will not leak again. 

To Stop Leaking Water Pipe — Moisten ordinary yellow soap 
and a little whiting into a thick paste and bind it over the leak 
until a plumber can be secured. 

To Stop a Leak in a Gas Pipe or Joint, moisten common soap 
and press it tightly over it. 

To Purify a Well, throw in it about a peck or unslaked lime. 

To Purify Cistern or Well Water, hang a bag containing 
about a peck of pulverized charcoal in the water. 

If the Cellar Stairs is Dark, and most of them are, paint the 
last step white to avoid uncertainty, and, perhaps, a bad fall. 
. To Deaden a Telephone or Doorbell during sickness or for 
very nervous persons, slip blotting paper under edge of bells. 

To Clean Piano Keys, use a piece of muslin dipped in alcohol. 
For very yellow keys, use a piece of flannel moistened with 
cologne water. 

To Preserve Soft Rubber Goods, suspend articles, or rest 
them on a rack, several inches from the bottom of an enclosure, 
in which place a small quantity of kerosene. The vapor arising 
will prevent cracking without injuring goods. 

To Make Matches Waterproof without interfering with their 
usefulness, dip them in hot melted paraffin; after cooling they 
are ready for use. 

A Novel Match Scratcher — To avoid matches being scratched 
on wallpaper almost as much as on the match-scratch, remove 
the glass from a small oval or square picture frame and frame 
a piece of sandpaper the same as a picture. Put a small screw- 



40 MISCELLANEOUS i 

eye on top of the frame, allowing it to hang perfectly flat 
against the wall. The frame prevents the match being carried 
over the edge of sandpaper onto wall. 

When Eyeglasses Steam — To prevent annoyance of moisture 
on eyeglasses, when going from a cold into a warm atmosphere, 
moisten the tips of the fingers and rub them over a cake of soap. 
Then rub them over the lens, and polish as usual. Only one 
application every day or two is necessary. 

To Tighten the Tiny Screws in Eyeglasses a small steel pen 
answers as well as a screw-driver. 

An Unbreakable Bead Chain — A violin string makes an 
excellent chain for stringing beads. It will stand a great 
amount of wear and tear and will practically last forever. 

Cure for Leaky Pens — Empty fountain pen and clean it thor- 
oughly; fill with ink and apply some soap to threads of screw. 

A Sympathetic Ink — Dissolve a little sulphate of iron in 
water and write with it; when heated the writing will appear. 

To Remove a Tight Glass Stopper, wrap around the neck of 
the bottle a cloth which has been wrung out of hot water. 

Two Uses for Velveteen — Old velveteen, fastened over a 
firm broom, is fine for wiping down walls. To polish furniture, 
use a piece of velveteen instead of chamois leather. The former 
is much cheaper than the chamois and serves just as well . 

Ice on Marble or Stone Steps can be thawed by sprinkling 
several handfuls of saltpeter on it. 

To Prevent Ice on Steps, wash them with hot water in which 
dissolve a handful of salt. Better than sprinkling wit'h salt. 

Cutting Off Old Bottles and Their Uses — A bottle may be 
cut ofif by wrapping a cord saturated in kerosene oil around it 
several times at the point you wish to cut it, then setting fire 
to the cord, and just when it has finished burning plunge the 
bottle into cold water and tap the end you wish to break ofif. 
Odd shaped or prettily colored bottles make nice vases. The 
top of a large bottle with a small neck makes a good funnel. 
Large round bottles make good jelly glasses. Many other uses 
will no doubt suggest themselves to your mind. 

More Serviceable Umbrella Jars — Place a large carriage 
sponge in bottom of umbrella jar to prevent umbrellas breaking 
bottom of jar and to absorb water from dripping umbrellas. 

Squeaking Hammock — If the hammock has an annoying 
squeak where rope or chain is joined on the hook, slip a finger 
from an old glove over hook before putting on rope or chain. 

A Good Paste — Take one-half teaspoonful each of starch 
and flour and add a little boiling water; let stand a moment, 
add more water, and stir and cook until thick. It spreads 



r MISCELLANEOUS 41 

smooth, sticks well and does not mold or discolor paper. Add 
ten drops of oil of cloves to each half pint to improve its 
lasting qualities. 

To Mend Celluloid — Moisten the broken edges with glacial 
acetic acid and hold them together until the acid dries. 

Transparent Cement for Mending Glass — Melt a little isin- 
glass in spirits of wine and a little water; warm the mixture 
gradually over a moderate fire till thoroughly melted and apply. 

When Removing Old Paint with sandpaper, dampen the 
sandpaper with benzine to get quick results. 

Good Varnish Remover — Dissolve thoroughly one quart of 
good caustic soda in three quarts of lukewarm water and apply 
with coarse sponge. 

To Remove the Odor of Fresh Paint, put a few slices of 
onion in a pail of water and leave it in the newly painted room 
for a few hours. Leaving several pails of water uncovered in 
the room a few hours is also effective. 

To Soften Paint Brushes that have been used for varnishing 
and not been cleaned, soak them in turpentine. To soften 
brushes that have dried paint in them soak in hot vinegar or in 
turpentine or gasoline. 

For Dried Mucilage or Glue — When mucilage or glue has 
dried at bottom of bottle, pour a spoonful of vinegar in it. and 
let it stand awhile; it will be as good as ever. 

To Remove Paper Labels, wet the face of the label with water 
and hold it near a flam.e or stove. 

To Separate Postage Stamps that have stuck together do not 
soak them. Instead, lay a thin paper over them, and run a 
•moderately hot iron over the paper. They will come apart 
easily and the mucilage can be used the same as new. 

Insoles from Old Felt Hats — Cut out pieces from old felt 
liats big enough to fit the inside of your shoes. This m.akes a 
fine insole, and is a great help to keep the feet warm. 

When a Small Quantity of Various Colors is Needed, for 
dyeing cotton rugs, or any similar purpose, use the less expensive 
Easter egg dyes. 

For Novelty Candle-Holders use rosy-cheeked apples, pol- 
ished and hollowed out to receive the end of a candle. Especi- 
ally at a children's party, where a color scheme of red and 
w^hite is carried out, nothing more suitable could be designed. 

For Damp and Musty Cellars, a few lumps of unslaked lime 
will keep the air pure and sweet and also absorb dampness. 

Handy Ice Pick — If an ice pick is unavailable or is misplaced 
for the time being, an ordinary hat pin gradually forced into 
ice produces a crack and separates it without sound Medium- 



42 MISCELLANEOUS | 

sized pieces of ice can be cracked with a needle, or even a 
common pin, using a thimble to push it through. 

Ice Cream Helps — Pack freezer half an hour before putting 
mixture in can and freezing will be speedier. Use one part salt 
to three of ice; mix before using or put in freezer in layers. Tc 
ripen cream and give it a better flavor, remove dasher, pack 
down cream with a spoon and fill tub with fresh ice and salt;, 
let stand five or six hours before serving 

To Prevent a Door from Creaking, rub a little soap on the 
hinges; if a door sticks, rub a bar of white soap over the edges. 

To Put Hooks in Hardwood — When putting hooks in hard- 
wood, use a clothes-pin, or slip the handle of a knife or any- 
small steel article through the hook, and turn until it is secure 
in the wood. This will save your fingers from aching. 

To Drive a Nail through wood without splitting it, first push, 
the nail through hard soap, or dip it in melted paraffin. 

To Drive a Nail in Plaster without crumbling the plaster, put 
nail in hot water for a few minutes, or dip it in melted paraffin; 
it can then be driven in securely without damage to wall. 

To Loosen Screws and Nails which are rusted into wood: 

(1) Drop a little paraffin on them, and after a short time they 
can easily be removed, or, 

(2) Hold a red hot iron to the head of the screw for a short 
time and use the screwdriver while the screw is still hot. 

When Taking Down Pictures in House-Cleaning Time a stick 
with a deep notch in the end, to lift cords from hooks, is a great 
help. Fish line is better than wire for hanging pictures. 

To Mark Place for Picture-Nail when right position has been 
found to hang picture, moisten the finger and press it against 
place where nail should go. This does away with awkward 
reaching for hammer and nail while holding picture to wall. 

To Wash White Gloves — Use pure white soap and lukewarm 
water, and wash and dry on the hands. 

To Wash Doeskin or Chamois Gloves — Add a teaspoonful of 
olive oil to a basin of lukewarm soapy water; wash in this and 
rinse in a clean solution of the same; dry away from heat. 

To Renovate Black Kid Gloves use a few drops of black ink 
in olive oil to darken the worn spots. 

To Clean Kid Gloves — Mix fifteen drops of solution of am- 
monia and half a pint of spirits of turpentine. Put gloves on 
and apply mixture with a brush, then rub them with pumice 
powder; apply mixture again with a flannel cloth, repeating 
until clean and hang in air to dry. 

Emergency White Glove Repair — If your white glove rips, 
or tears accidentally just as you are putting it on to go out^. 



MISCELLANEOUS 43 



and there is no time to mend same, put a small strip of white 
adhesive plaster over the spot and it will never be noticed. 

For Convenience on Your Motor Hat, try fastening an 
elastic on with a hook and eye. 

To Clean White Woolen Toys, Etc. — Use a paste made with 
white starch and cold water — just enough water to dissolve 
the starch; rub it well all over the soiled toy and lay aside till 
dry; then brush off all traces of starch. 

To Clean a Raincoat — Use one of the following methods: 

(1) Use soap and water and not gasoline, as gasoline will 
injure the rubber. Lay out on a flat surface and scrub lightly 
with soap and water; then rinse with clear water. Do not 
wring. Put on a coat-hanger and hang out to dry. 

(2) Pour some vinegar in a dish and dip a soft rag or sponge 
in it; place the mackintosh on the table and rub the soiled parts 
lightly, changing the rag when it becomes soiled. 

(3) An excellent way to clean a raincoat is to cut a raw potato 
in half and rub it well on the soiled spots. 

When Cleaning with Gasoline try the following suggestions: 

(1) To take the odor of gasoline out of freshly cleaned 
garments, use oil of sassafras in the gasoline to the proportion 
of about ten drops to a quart of gasoline. 

(2) Add a little salt to gasoline to be used for cleaning wool 
or silk material and there will be no ring remaining when dry. 

(3) Put about one-third part of vinegar in the water with 
which you dampen the cloth when pressing an article that has 
been cleaned with gasoline. This will not only remove the scent 
of the gasoline but will prevent circles forming. 

To Remove a Ring or Stain left after using a cleaning fluid, 
let it dry; then hold over steam from a kettle till it vanishes. 

To Clean White Kid Articles — Pure alcohol is better than 
gasoline for cleaning white kid gloves or other white kid 
articles, as it dries quickly without the unpleasant odor that 
gasoline leaves. Five cents' worth of alcohol cleans a pair of 
gloves beautifully. 

To Clean a Lady's or Gent's White Straw Hat, mix lemon 
juice and powdered sulphur to a creamy paste and apply to hat 
with an old toothbrush, scrubbing well; dry in the sun. 

To Clean a Black Straw Hat and restore faded color, mix well 
together two-thirds olive oil and one-third jet black ink and go 
all over the hat with a small brush. 

To Clean a White Felt Hat, mix a rather stiff paste of pow- 
dered magnesia and water; brush it well in, leave it on till dry 
and then brush off. 

To Clean a White Felt Hat, rub it lightly with fine sandpaper j 



44 MISCELLANEOUS 



I 



if not available, use a mixture of two-thirds cornmeal and one- 
third salt; rub in thoroughly, let stand over night and brush out. 

To Clean a Felt or Panama Hat, add enough gasoline to a 
teacup of flour to make a paste. Rub it on w^ith a brush and let 
dry; then brush off, using a stiff brush. 

To Clean a Panama Hat, use a suds of M^hite laundry soap, 
adding ammonia till water feels soft; then add for each pint 
of suds one tablespoonful of glycerine. Wash hat in this, using 
a soft brush, lay on a board and dry in the shade. 

For Shiny Coat Collar, sponge it with a cloth moistened in 
ammonia or vinegar. 

Clean a soiled coat collar by rubbing briskly with an old 
toothbrush dipped in naphtha or any cleaning solution. 

To Take the Shine from Serge Goods, rub it with hot vinegar 
and then sponge it with ammonia. 

For Shiny Serge Suit, lay it on a folded blanket and place on 
shiny parts a clean cloth wrung from clean water (must be 
quite wet); iron across it lightly, with very hot iron, twice. 

For Shiny Tailored Suits, wet a thin piece of muslin in witch 
hazel and spread over the shiny part; hold a hot iron over it 
until it steams and press on the wrong side. 

When Pressing Clothes, to avoid shiny surfaces and ridges 
put piece of woolen cloth between iron and article to be pressed. 

To Renovate a Shabby Serge Skirt, sponge it over with hot 
vinegar until the stains and grease marks disappear; then thor- 
oughly press on wrong side with a fairly hot iron. 

To Remove Shine from Woolen Goods — Wet a piece of 
crinoline and lay it over the shiny surface. Cover with a dry 
cloth and press with a hot iron. Pull the crinoline away quickly, 
as you would a plaster, and this will raise the nap of the goods. 

To Remove Shine from Black Cloth, rub it well with a piece 
of flannel dipped in spirits of turpentine; dry in the open air. 

To Clean a Black Dress or Suit — Steep a dozen ivy leaves 
in boiling water until it is almost black; when cold rub it well 
over the stained parts and press with a hot iron. This will 
remove all stains and make the cloth look fresh. 

To Clean Men's Clothing — Take a soft cloth, dip it in alcohol 
and press it lightly over a cake of pure soap; then apply it 
briskly to the article to be cleaned. After sponging the garment 
carefully, press it. In cases of obstinate grease spots, rub well 
with a lather made of pure white soap and luke-warm water; 
then sponge off with alcohol and proceed as above. 

To Clean and Freshen Black Silk, sponge it well with black 
tea, cold and strong; then iron carefully on the wrong side. 

A Good Cleaner for silk, satin, lace, or any cloth: Cover the 



^ MISCELLANEOUS 46 

foiled parts with a paste made of granulated cornmeal and 
gasoline and leave on for a short time; then brush off thor- 
oughly. This leaves no rings or streaks. 

To Clean a White Plume, dip it into raw cold starch, slightly- 
blued; let it dry, then shake off the powdered starch. Repeat* 
if necessary. 

To Clean a Soiled White Corset, brush it over with a mixture 
of soapy water and ammonia, using a stiff nail brush. 

To Clean a Soiled Lace Yoke or Collar — Rub powdered 
starch into it and lay aside several hours; brush and shake out. 

To Clean White Sweaters and other white woolen goods 
without washing, rub thoroughly in a mixture of one-third salt 
and two-thirds cornmeal and lay aside over night; then brush 
and hang in shade. 

To Clean a White Silk Petticoat, Etc., put it in a dry tub and 
cover with old-fashioned cornmeal, slightly salted. Rub lightly, 
as if in soapy water, especially the soiled spots. Shake out 
soiled cornmeal, put in tub again, cover with fresh, clean meal 
and let stand three days. Then brush and shake thoroughly 
and press with moderately warm iron. 

To Clean Black Velvet, raise the nap and remove creases, hold 
it pile side up over the steam of nearly boiling water to which 
a little ammonia has been added; brush and iron on under side. 

To Clean Velvet — Use a solution of two tablespoonfuls of 
liquid ammonia and one-half pint of hot water; apply it to the 
velvet with a stiff brush and rub it well into the pile to take 
out all stains and creases. Then hold under side of velvet over 
a 'hot iron till steam raises the pile and it is well dried. 

To Clean Corduroy, use pure white soap and warm soapy 
water and plunge it up and down; rinse several times in clear 
water. Do not wring — hang out dripping wet to dry; do not 
iron. Use a brush (but one way of the cloth) to smooth the nap. 

To Clean Furs, take them outdoors and brush (with the nap) 
with a stiff whiskbroom; then saturate a clean cloth with gaso- 
line and rub them well, afterward using the whiskbroom to 
restore the nap. and hang in the sun to dry. 

To Clean White Furs, shake them free of dust, lay them on 
a newspaper and rub thoroughly with plenty of powdered white 
starch till clean; then shake well and brush with a soft brush. 

To Keep Moths Out of Fur — Moths will not attack fur 
if plentifully sprinkled with pepper, or tobacco, which leaves no 
unpleasant odor and can easily be shaken out before wearing. 

To Clean White Gaiters, rub them with a solution of equal 
parts of peroxide of hydrogen and water; put near stove to dry. 

To Remove Stubborn Spots from White Leather Shoes, rub 



46 MISCELLANEOUS | 

with very fine sandpaper. Clean children's white shoes with a 
paste of milk and whiting. 

To Clean White Kid Shoes — Make a lather of pure white 
soap and milk for cleaning white kid shoes. Brush as much dirt 
as possible off the shoes before scrubbing with the lather. 

White Satin Shoes and all white silk garments should be 
wrapped in blue tissue paper to prevent discoloration. The 
chloride of lime in white paper turns them yellow. 

To Soften Boot Polish which has become dry, add a few 
drops of turpentine. 

If New Boots or Shoes Will Not Polish, rub them over with 
half a lemon and leave till thoroughly dry; repeat if necessary. 

New Tag for Shoe Lace — If a tag comes off a shoe lace, 
press a little melted black sealing wax round end of the lace and 
shape it to form a tag. It will serve as well as the original. 

To Soften Stiff Shoes after a rainy day, wash them over with 
warm water; then rub castor oil or glycerine well into them. 

When New Shoes Pinch, moisten a cloth in hot water and 
lay it across the tight spot, changing as soon as it cools; this 
will make the leather shape to the foot. 

To Keep Patent Leather Shoes from Cracking, rub them all 
over when new with a little vaseline put on with soft flannel; 
leave over night, then polish. Glycerine is also fine for this. 

To Clean Tan Shoes, first wash ofif with water all dried mud, 
etc; then rub with flannel dipped in turpentine; rub off with 
clean flannel. 

To Prevent a Blister on the Heel when shoes slip, rub 
paraffin on the stocking. In a short time the slipping will stop. 

To Tighten Loose Chair-Rungs, slightly split end of the rung 
and insert the end of a thin wooden wedge and press rung in 
place. The harder it is nressed the more it will tighten. 

To Bottom of Dining-Chair Legs glue thin strips of felt to 
deaden noise and save the hardwood floors or linoleum. 

To Prevent a Rocking Chair from Creeping across the room 
while rocking in it, glue strips of velvet on bottom of chair 
rockers, and the annoyance will cease. 

To Tighten Sagging Cane-Chair Seats, sponge both sides of 
cane with hot soapsuds to which add a handful of salt, rinse in 
clean water and dry in the open air; when nearly dry, cover 
with a cloth and iron with a hot iron; they will be like new. 

For Worn Carpet Sweeper Pulleys — To keep the wood 
pulleys on carpet sweeper brushes from slipping after wearing 
smooth, wrap once or twice with adhesive tape. This also keeps 
pulleys from wearing unevenly with grain of the wood. 

To Clean a Carpet Sweeper, remove brush and clean out all 



I MISCELLANEOUS 47 

hairs and lint (a cheap wire hairbrush is fine for this); then 
rub the brush well with kerosene and let it stand in the air until 
odor is gone; it will then do much better work. 

To Remove Soot from Carpet — Do not attempt to sweep the 
carpet but cover it quickly with dry salt. Then sweep carefully 
and no smear will be left. 

To Brighten a Carpet-- First sweep carpet clean. Then dip 
a soft, clean mop into a pail containing one-half gallon of water 
and one-half teacupful of ammonia; wring it well and rub it 
over the carpet; it will be as bright and flufify as new. 

Kerosene Stains on Carpets can be removed by sprinkling 
buckwheat flour over them; let it stand awhile, then sweep up 
carefully; repeat, if necessary. 

To Remove Whitewash from Carpets, mix a teaspoonful of 
ammonia in a gallon of water and apply to the spots. 

To Clean Stair Carpet without taking it up: To a pail of 
warm water add two tablespoonfuls salsoda; wring from this 
a large towel, spread it over a step and beat with a small 
carpet beater. Change cloth until all is used then rinse in the 
water and repeat for each step. The damp cloth catches every 
particle of dust and is much easier than taking up carpet. 

Oil Spilled on a Rug or Carpet may be absorbed by covering 
at once with cornmeal. It may also be removed by covering: 
with blotting-paper and passing a hot iron over it; repeat if 
necessary, using clean paper. 

To Keep Moths Out of Rugs, sprinkle them with cayenne 
pepper and roll up in paper. 

To Keep Rugs from Slipping — Cut a three-cornered piece 
of rubber sheeting to fit each corner and sew it firmly in place. 
Another way is to take a piece of heavy, rough sheathing paper 
a bit smaller than the rug and lay the rug on that. 

To Make an Old Rug Stiff as when new, clean the rug, turn 
upside down and paint with starch; leave in sun till well dried. 

To Wash a Rug, stretch it on a clean floor and tack it down; 
scour well with soapsuds and rinse thoroughly to remove all 
soap; leave rug tacked down till well dried to prevent shrinkage. 

To Clean Straw Matting, wash it with a cloth dampened in 
hot salt water — a handful of salt to a pailful of hot water — 
and wipe dry at once. This also prevents it turning yellow. 

To Clean Soiled Matting, dissolve a little oxalic acid in water; 
scrub with a brush, and wash with clean water. 

To Clean an Oil Mop — Use hot water, ammonia and a little 
washing powder. 

To Remove Paint Spots from hardwood floors, apply kero- 
sene and then rub with a soft cloth wrung from lukewarm water. 



48 MISCELLANEOUS 



A Cheap Floor Wax which is excellent for use on hardwoo 
floors: To one-half cake of melted paraffin add one teacupful 
of turpentine. Apply to the clean dry floor with a cloth; then 
polish with a woolen cloth or weighted brush. It gives an 
excellent polish and keeps the floor nice and light. 

Excellent Device for Polishing Floors After Waxing — Take 
two old-fashioned flatirons and wrap them, side by side, in 
old carpet, pieces of woolen blanket, or old tweed trouser legs, 
and attach an old broomstick to the iron handles with heavy 
wire or strong cord. Polish floor by drawing it across floor with 
grain of the wood — never cross grain. 

Polish for Floors — Rub polished floors with a mixture of 
one-third raw linseed oil and two-thirds paraffin. Afterward 
polish with a dry cloth. 

A Useful Polish for floors, pianos, etc.: Mix equal parts of 
paraffin and vinegar and keep in corked bottle. Use frequently 
on a soft duster for gilt or silver frames and they will not 
tarnish. Add a couple drops of oil of lavender to give it a 
pleasant odor and make it effective in keeping away flies. 

To Whiten Stone Steps and Concrete Walks — To one gallon 
water add one pound lime and mix in a handful of salt, stirring 
well; scrub into the surface with scrubbing brush or old broom. 

To Remove Dirt from White Paint, use the water in which 
two or three onions have been boiled. 

To Remove Match Marks from Paint, rub them with a cut 
lemon, then with whiting, and wash with soap and water. 

To Remove Old Varnish from Furniture, before revarnishing, 
use three tablespoonfuls washing soda to one quart water; and 
apply with a rough cloth. 

A Good and Cheap Furniture and Floor Polish — Mix one 
part of benzine and two parts of crude oil. Mix thoroughly, 
always shake well before using, and apply with cheesecloth, 
rubbing until dry. Excellent for everything but mahogany. 
Another well tested polish is made of two parts turpentine and 
one part each of benzine and linseed oil; polish with clean cloth. 

Recipe for Furniture Polish — To 8 ozs. unboiled linseed oil 
add y2 pint vinegar, >2 oz. wood alcohol, 1/2 oz, butter of anti- 
mony and 1/2 oz. muriatic acid. Mix together, shaking well. 

Good Furniture Polish — Take one ounce each common wax, 
white soap and white wax for each pint of water, cut them up 
fine, dissolve in the water over fire till well mixed, and bottle. 

Wood Stain for Imitation of Mahogany — Soak some log- 
wood chips in acetic acid or vinegar for twenty-four hours or 
longer, until the right shade is obtained. Then heat the solu- 
tion and apply while hot. 



ji 



I MISCELLANEOUS 49 

Polish for Mahogany — Mix well two tablespoonfuls of olive 
oil and a dessert spoonful of vinegar; apply with old flannel, 
then polish. 

To Clean White Woodwork and Furniture, wring a flannel 
cloth from hot water, dip it in whiting and rub well, with the 
grain of the wood. Then v/ash off with clean warm water and 
<iry with a soft cloth. 

To Clean White Woodwork or Furniture, use one pint of milk, 
•one pint of water, and add one tablespoonful of kerosene; heat 
and apply, polishing at once with a soft rag. 

To Clean White Enameled Furniture — First remove all dirty 
marks with a flannel cloth dipped in wood alcohol. Then wash 
at once with tepid water to which has been added a little fine 
•oatmeal. Never use soap or soda. 

To Clean White Enameled Furniture or Woodwork, use 
■clean turpentine and a soft cloth. It will remove all spots 
without removing any of the gloss, as soap is liable to. 

To Remove Water Spots from Varnished Wood, tables or 
furniture, rub them with a cloth, or feather, wet with camphor. 

To Remove White Spots from Furniture, use two parts crude 
oil and one part turpentine. 

To Remove White Spots from polished table tops, etc., rub 
quickly with a cloth slightly dampened with linseed oil and 
alcohol; then polish with a cloth and linseed oil only. 

To Remove Water or White Spots from varnished furniture, 
melt paraffin in a little olive oil and touch the spots with it; 
after a while, polish till bright. 

To Remove White Marks from Mahogany, put a few drops 
■of sweet or camphorated oil over them and let it soak in; after- 
ward polish with soft cloth. 

To Clean Greasy Woodwork or Paint, use a cloth dipped in 
turpentine. Then wipe with a cloth dipped in water to which a 
little kerosene has been added. 

Finger-Marks on a Piano or other highly polished furniture 
can be quickly removed by rubbing lightly with a cloth dipped 
in alcohol; then polish with soft chamois. 

To Freshen Leather Furniture, Etc., and prevent cracking, 
put in a bottle one cupful vinegar and two cupfuls boiled linseed 
oil. Cork securely and shake until creamy. Apply sparingly 
•with soft rag and polish with soft duster. 

To Clean Leather Furniture, add a little vinegar to warm 
water (not hot) and brush the leather over with it; remove 
grease stains with benzine or pure turpentine. Restore the 
polish by rubbing with two tablespoonfuls of turpentine mixed 
with the whites of two eggs. 



50 MISCELLANEOUS i 

To Take Mildew Out of Leather, rub pure vaseline into it tilli 
quite absorbed; then polish carefully with chamois leather. 

To Clean a Wicker Chair, first dust it well, then wash with 
lukewarm soapsuds. When chair is quite dry, rub it with a. 
cloth rnoistened with the following polish: Mix equal parts of 
turpentine and sweet oil, add a few drops of methylated spirits.. 

To Clean Basket Chairs and Willow Furniture, scrub well 
with a coarse brush and strong salt water; dry with soft cloth. 
This also prevents it from turning yellow. 

To Bait a Mouse-Trap, try a small piece of bacon instead of 
the usual cheese. 

To Exterminate Rats, place about their haunts a mixture of 
equal parts of cornmeal, brown sugar, and plaster of paris. For 
setting- a rat-trap, use bread soaked in linseed oil; they cannot, 
resist it. 

To Rid House of Rats, sprinkle sulphur in bureau drawers,, 
closets, and around holes where they are apt to come in. 
Farmers, also, will find that corn will not be troubled if they^ 
sprinkle it about the barn. 

To Get Rid of Mice — Mice do not like the smell of oil of 
peppermint, and a little placed about their haunts soon forces- 
them to look for other quarters. 

Lumps of camphor placed about their haunts is another effec- 
tive method of keeping mice away. Pieces of gum camphor 
laid near books on the shelves will protect them from mice. 

To Kill Insects on Fowls, use lard in which mix some paraffin 
oil to keep the lard from running. 

To Drive Away Sparrows — If annoyed by sparrows around 
eaves and underneath cornices, etc., of the house, make a few 
cheesecloth bags, fill with mothballs and hang near their haunts. 

To Drive Out Flies, put twenty drops of oil of lavender in a 
saucer and dilute it slightly with hot water. This sweet, heavy 
odor is disagreeable to flies, and the house is soon rid of them. 

To Keep Moths Out of Blankets when not in use, scatter 
slices of dried yellow soap in the folds; wrap well in newspaper. 

Moth Preventive — Moths hate printer's ink and rarely harm 
anything wrapped or sealed in newspapers. The odor of cedar 
is also objectional, and a trunk lined with clean newspapers, 
under which pieces of a cigar-box are laid, is safe for storage. 

To Destroy Moths in Carpet, wring a thick towel out of 
water, spread it on the carpet, and iron over it with a very hot 
iron. The heat and steam go through carpet, destroying grubs, 

A Moth Preventive — To get rid of moths, pour a little 
turpentine in the corners of the wardrobe, chiffonier, or trunk. 

To Keep Moths Out of Pianos — Rub turpentine occasionally 



I MISCELLANEOUS 51 

over woodwork on inside of piano, and you will not be troubFed 
with moths getting in it, even if unused for a long time. A 
small bag of camphor put inside a piano will protect the felt. 

To Keep Gnats, or Mosquitoes Away — Rub a few drops of 
oil of lavender, or oil of citronella, on face, neck and hands. 

To Prevent Insect Bites, rub a little vinegar and water on the 
skin. Scented verbena leaves are also good for this purpose. 

To Kill Weeds — If annoyed with dock, dandelion, or other 
weeds, fill an oil-can with kerosene. With a knife cut the weed 
off at the ground, or just below, and put a drop or two of kero- 
sene on the heart of the weed. It will not grow again. 

Attractive Covers for Potted Plants — Cut covers for pots 
from wallpaper to match the walls. Fasten together with pins 
and change when soiled. 

Use for Old Hot Water Bags — Cut them into round mats 
and use under flower pots, etc., to prevent staining of wood. 

If Earth for Window Boxes or Potted Plants is heated in 
the oven before using, it will save trouble with bugs and worms. 

To Destroy Earthworms in the earth in flower-pots, mix a 
small quantity finely-pulverized tobacco with the earth in each. 

To Destroy Lice on Plants, spray them with a syringe and 
a suds of naphtha soap. 

For Plant Insects — One tablespoonful of smoking tobacco 
soaked in a quart of water for twelve hours or more makes a 
solution that will destroy insects and promote the growth of 
plants. Pour on the soil about every two months. 

To Make Ferns Grow Rapidly — Put two raw oysters, chopped 
fine, into the pot with the ferns every two weeks. Give plenty 
of water. It will make them green and bright. Cottonseed meal 
is also good fertilizer. Ferns grow toward the sun, and should 
be turned each day to keep them from growing over to one side. 

Ammonia Water for Plants — Ammonia water that has been 
used for washing is an excellent fertilizer for plants. 

Plant Fertilizer — When watering plants, to every two pints 
of water add a teaspoon of sal volatile to promote their growth. 

Plant Fertilizer — Dissolve two ounces sulphate of ammonia 
and one ounce nitrate of potash in one-half pint boiling water; 
bottle and cork tightly. Use a teaspoonful to three quarts luke- 
warm water. 

Soot for Plants — Soot enriches the soil, keeps plants healthy 
and destroys many insects. Sprinkle it on the surface or use 
soot-water made as follows: Put the soot in a bag and immerse 
it in a pail of water. Water in which beef has been washed 
before cooking is excellent for plants, roses and geraniums. 

To Grow a Novelty Hanging Vine from a sweet potato put 



52 MISCELLANEOUS , 

it in a hanging basket of pure sand, or sand loam, and water 
occasionally. The dark green leaves resemble a variety of ivy. 

To Fasten Climbing Vines, Etc., attach strings to nails three 
or four inches long and push nails in the ground up to the head. 

To Make a Rubber Plant Grow, wash the leaves once a 
month with warm soapsuds; when dry, wet a cloth with olive 
oil and rub over the upper side only of each leaf. 

When Packing Flowers for Transportation to be sent some 
distance, place ends of stems in a raw potato. They will keep 
as fresh as if in water. 

(1) To Keep Flowers Fresh — Put a small piece of sugar, or 
a drop or two of camphor, in the water. 

(2) To Keep Cut Flowers Fresh, put one-half teaspoonful of 
bicarbonate of soda in the water before putting them in a vase. 

(3) Cut flowers with woody stems will last much longer in 
water if the stalks are scraped for about three inches up. 

To Patch a Broken Spot in Plaster, mix a paste of one part 
of white flour, two parts of sand and two parts of sifted coal 
ashes with water. 

Plaster of Paris for Mending Walls — When painting walls 
and the plaster is in need of mending, fix it with plaster of 
paris mixed with some of the paint you intend using to paint 
it with. This will prevent the mended spots from showing. To 
fix a white wall, mix plaster of paris with turpentine and oil. 

To Remove Smoke Marks from the Ceiling, frequently due 
to a smoky lamp, mix a thick paste of starch and water, and 
with a clean flannel cloth spread it over the entire mark. Allow 
it to stay on until thoroughly dry, then brush off with a soft 
brush and the discoloration will disappear like magic. 

To Mend a Crack or Tear in Wallpaper so it will not show, 
tear out with fingers (do not cut) a piece of the same paper a 
little larger than the crack or tear and starch well; roll down 
edges with a castor. 

Extra-Strong Paste for Paperhanging — Buy dry glue chips 
and dissolve them in boiling water; then thin it with cold water 
and wash it over the plaster. When thoroughly dry, put on 
paper as usual, using flour paste to which add a cup of dried 
glue chips for each gallon boiling water. Paper will never peel. 

To Remove Wallpaper, brush it over with alum water, using a 
whitewash brush; let it dry and paper will come off easily. 

Wallpaper Remover — To remove wallpaper in one-half the 
usual time, take one heaping tablespoonful of saltpetre to a 
gallon of hot water, and apply to paper freely with a brush. A 
whitewash brush is best, as it covers a broad space. Keep 
water hot, and after a few applications paper easily pulls off. 



I MISCELLANEOUS 53 

To Clean Wallpaper, make a paste of three cupfuls of flour, 
three tablespoonfuls of ammonia and one and one^half cupfuls 
water. Roll into balls and rub over paper. It will be like new. 

To Clean Brass — Rub first with a paste made with powdered 
bath brick and kerosene; then rub with dry powdered bath 
brick. Lemon juice and powdered chalk, mixed and used in the 
same way is also excellent. Pumice soap and ammonia is also 
good. Just moisten a cloth with ammonia, rub it briskly over 
the pumice soap, and apply to article. Polish with soft cloth. 

Never use vinegar and salt or other acid mixtures; they only 
increase the tendency of the metal to tarnish. 

To keep the polish on brass, after polishing in usual way, 
coat with clear, hard-drying varnish. 

To Clean Nickel Ornaments and fixtures, use a mixture of 
equal parts of ammonia and whiting. Polish with leather. 

To Remove Stains from Ivory, mix a little tripoli (have it 
powdered at drug-store) with sweet oil and rub on with a 
clean flannel cloth. Alcohol stains, if not too bad, can be 
removed with a little powdered Bon Ami on a soft rag. 

To Clean Gold or Silver Jewelry, add a teaspoonful of 
ammonia to a cup of water and apply with a soft rag. 

To Clean Sterling Silver Articles — Wash in baking soda and 
a little warm water, using a brush if desired; rinse in clean 
water and dry thoroughly. 

To Clean Tobacco Stains from copper or brass ash trays, 
apply a little denatured alcohol with a brush. 

To Clean Brass Ornaments, boil in strong soapsuds to which 
add a large lump of soda; then scrub with brush, pour clean 
boiling water over them, and wipe dry. If they cannot be 
boiled, rub them with juice from a boiled onion. 

To Clean Brass Flower Pots or Trays, rub them with a piece 
of lemon; then pour boiling water over them and polish with 
soft, dry cloth. 

To Clean Gilt Articles, wash them in white soapsuds with a 
fine brush; then rinse well and wipe dry with a soft cloth. 

To Clean Spotted Glazed Tiles, rub them with a cut lemon, 
leave on for about fifteen minutes and polish with a soft duster. 

Add a tablespoonful of paraffin to a pail of hot water when 
washing tiles; it will make them both clean and bright. 

To Clean Bronze, make the article very hot by placing it in 
boiling water; then rub it well with a piece of flannel cloth 
dipped in soapsuds, and dry with a chamois leather. 

To Clean Zinc — Take a thick slice of lemon and rub it over 
the stained spots. Let it remain for an hour, then wash the 
zinc metal with soap and water; it will be clean and bright. 



54 INTHESICKROOM 



i 



To Clean Zinc — Wipe it off with a dry cloth; then rub it 
with kerosene, let it stand a few hours and rub again with a 
cloth wet in kerosene; polish with dry cloth. 

To Remove Old Stains from Marble, mix well unslaked lime 
and soft soap and lay it on with a brush; after a short time, 
wash it away with lukewarm water. Repeat if necessary. 

To Clean Soiled Marble — Pound two parts of common wash- 
ing soda, one part each of pumice stone and finely powdered 
chalk, mix together, sift through cheesecloth, and make into a 
paste with water. Apply thickly and let it dry on; then wash 
well with soap and water and rub well with a soft cloth. Never 
use acids as they destroy the gloss. 

To Clean Oil Spots from Marble, first wash the stone thor- 
oughly; then place a sheet of blotting paper over the spots and 
set a hot iron on it; this will draw the oil out and the blotting 
paper will absorb it. 

Good Frosting for Glass (imitation of ground glass) : Use 
mastic, 4 parts; sandarac, 18 parts; zenol, 80 parts and ether, 200 
parts. Mix well, clean glass thoroughly and apply quickly. 

IN THE SICK ROOM 
Also Miscellaneous Beauty Helps 

For the Invalid's Room, a few drops of oil of lavender in a 
glass of very hot water is excellent to freshen and purify the air 
and to rid the room of flies or other insects. 

For the Invalid's Room, an agreeable method of changing 
the air is to put eau de cologne in a shallow dish and set fire 
to it. It makes a pretty flame and imparts a delightful odor. 

Drink for Invalids, often served in hospitals: Put two table- 
spoonfuls grape juice in a wineglass, add the beaten white of an 
^gg and a little chopped ice; sprinkle sugar over top and serve. 

For Bums, Etc. — If you burn your finger or hand make a 
strong solution of bluing water and soak the affected part in it 
ior ten minutes, or longer if necessary. The pain will quickly 
disappear and no soreness will result. 

For Burns or Scalds — Mix one tablespoonful baking soda 
with one pint water and apply. Or, use raw white of egg 
applied on a cloth. 

For Burns and Light Scalds — At once coat the burned or 
scalded spot with mucilage and the smarting will cease almost 
instantly. If burn is quite deep, keep covered with paste of cold 
water and fiour; do not let paste get dry until smarting stops. 

A Good Remedy for Burns — Cover a soft cloth with a thick 
layer of scraped raw potato (Irish) and apply it to the burned 
part. Renew the potato as often as necessary to keep it moist. 



I ANDBEAUTYHELPS 55 

For Chapped Lips and Bums — Take equal parts beeswax, 
•sweet oil and turpentine; melt wax and oil together and when 
partly cooled add the turpentine; keep evenly mixed by stirring 
until cold and apply with thin linen cloth. 

For Chapped Hands or Feet, use a mixture of five cents' worth 
of each of the following: White wax, powdered camphor, 
glycerine, spermaceti, and sweet oil. An excellent remedy. 

An Excellent Cold Cream for the face and hands: White wax, 
12 grams; spermaceti, 24 grams; cocoa butter, 24 grams; oil of 
sweet almonds, 80 grams. Rub well into the pores. 

To Make Thin Hands Plump, first wash them in very warm 
water and rub in cocoa butter or any good skin food for five 
minutes; then hold the hands an instant in ice cold water and 
Avipe dry. The cold water closes up the pores while filled with 
the skin food and new tissue is built. 

A Good Face Wash — Mix two ounces of rosewater with two 
teaspoons glycerine; add fifteen grains sulphur and shake well. 

To Whiten the Skin, apply a mixture of equal parts of rose 
water and lemon juice. 

For Red and Wrinkled Skin following tan or sunburn, apply 
this lotion: Muriate of ammonia, one-half teaspoonful; aromatic 
vinegar, one-half tablespoonful; lukewarm water, one pint. 

For Cracked Lips, apply a mixture of one-half ounce of lano- 
lin and an equal part of glycerine or honey. 

For Thin Eyebrows, apply warm olive oil or vaseline nightly. 

For Thin Eyebrows and Lashes, use a mixture of eight drops 
of tincture of capsicum and one-half ounce rosewater; rub a 
little of this into roots of the eyebrows and lashes each night. 

To Remove Superfluous Hair under arms, etc., make a paste 
with water of one part each of zinc oxide and starch, and two 
parts of calcium sulphide; apply to skin when needed and leave 
on about five minutes; then wipe off with soft cloth. 

For White Spots on Finger Nails, mix equal parts of turpen- 
tine and myrrh; apply at night for several nights, removing all 
traces of the remedy each morning with olive oil. 

Excellent Liquid Nail Polish — Dip the nails in this solution: 
Two drams diluted sulphuric acid, one dram tincture of myrrh, 
add enough rosewater to make four ounces; wipe and polish 
nails with chamois skin. 

For Perspiring Hands, use a lotion of two ounces cologne 
and one-quarter ounce tincture of belladonna; rub in till 
moisture is absorbed, then dust with orris root or talcum 
powder. If due to nervousness, bathe hands well in this lotion: 
Elder flower water, one ounce; tincture of benzoin, one-quarter 
ounce; rosewater, three ounces; tannic acid, five grains. 



56 INTHESICKROOM | 

To Prevent Tanning of Skin, dry the skin lightly (after a wasn 
or bath, and while skin is still wet) with a little of this mixture: 
Almond meal (line), 2 ounces; borax (finely powdered), 3 drams; 
oil of lily of valley, 2 drops; oil of bitter almonds, 2 drops; 
pumice stone (finely powdered), 3 drams; orris root (finely pow- 
dered), 1 ounce. 

Remedy for Freckles — Mix three ounces lemon juice with 
one ounce each of vinegar, rosewater and bay rum; apply 
several times a day. 

Excellent Freckle Lotion (will not harm the skin): Sal 
ammoniac (powdered) Yi dram; distilled water, two gills; hydro- 
chloric acid, Ya dram; triple lavender water, one dram. 

To Remove Warts — Castor oil applied every night will cause 
them to disappear, leaving no trace. Repeated applications of 
the following is also effective: Collodion, one ounce; salicylic 
acid, one-half dram. 

To Relieve a Corn, soak stale bread in vinegar and bind it on 
three nights. Paint a bunion twice daily with a lotion of two 
fluid drams each of glycerine, tincture iodine and carbolic acid. 

For Chilblains, apply oil of sassafras, bandaging them at night 
with olive oil. Warm salt and water will stop chilblains from 
itching. Painting them every night or two with tincture of 
iodine, or bathing them with beef-gall night and morning, will 
also give relief. Rub unbroken chilblains with dry salt and 
mustard, mixed in equal quantities. Coal oil is also excellent. 

For Relief from Tired and Swollen Feet, use a handful of 
baking soda dissolved in hot water. Arnica diluted with warm 
water is also soothing after standing all day; use every other 
night. If feet burn use a cooling solution of alum and water. 

Excellent Foot Powder for Perspiring Feet — Burnt alum, 
2y-2 grains; starch, 8 grains; salicylic acid, 1^ grains; violet 
talcum powder, 25 grams. Dust the feet daily after washing. 

For a Sprain — Salt and vinegar, bound on a sprain, will 
relieve the pain in a very little while. For severe sprains, mix 
one tablespoonful each of vinegar and spirits of turpentine with 
white of an egg: bottle, shake well and bathe sprain well at once. 

For Relief from a Felon, and to draw it quickly to a head, 
wrap the skin from the inside of an ^%^ around end of finger. 

To Draw Out a Splinter from under the Finger Nail, use 
cojnmon yellow soap combined with brown sugar; this is also 
good to bring painful gatherings to a head. 

For Snake Bite, mix the yolk of an t%^ with salt and apply 
same as one would a mustard plaster. 

Remedy for Ivy Poisoning — Dissolve two tablespoonfuls of 
Epsom salts in teacupful of water; apply four or five times a day. 



AND BEAUTY HELPS 57 

f Relief for Ivy Poisoning — Bathe well the affected parts in 
buttermilk to each cup of which add a large spoonful of salt. 

To Stop Hiccoughs — A lump of sugar, dipped in vinegar, 
and allowed to dissolve in the mouth will prove effectual. Insert- 
ing a spoon handle far down into the mouth and pressing upon 
it heavily will also usually stop persistent hiccoughs. 

For Venomous Insect Stings, Etc. — Apply weak ammonia, 
oil, salt water or iodine. For bee stings, reduce ammonia one- 
half and apply. 

For Poisonous Insect Stings, remove the sting, squeeze out 
the poison, and apply scraped chalk and olive oil, mixed to a 
thick cream. 

For Relief from Mosquito Bites, rub them with chloroform; 
the pain and itching will disappear and the swelling decrease. 

For Insect Bites, apply a fresh cut lemon; rub in well. 

Remedy for Nose Bleed — A vigorous motion of the jaws, as 
it chewing a wad of paper or gum, is a simple, effective remedy. 

To Stop Bleeding from a bad cut or wound, mix pulverized 
resin with sugar and bind it on. 

For Deep Cuts, bind on a handful of table salt to stop the 
flow of blood; this is also healing. 

For Small Cuts, Sores, Styes, Pimples, Boils, Etc., use equal 
parts of ointment of ammoniated mercury and white vaseline. 

For a Cut on Broken Glass, pour coal oil in the wound before 
any other application, to prevent soreness and further trouble. 

If You Step on a Rusty Nail, mix a teaspoonful of creolin to 
each pint of Iwt water and soak for about twenty minutes; then 
bind it with cloth wet with creolin and keep it damp. Do this 
every two hours and no blood poison will result. 

For Relief from Grit in the Eye, apply a drop or two of castor 
oil, or bathe it well with warm witch hazel. 

For Relief from Earache, put in the ear a piece of cotton, wet 
in chloroform and laudanum, equal parts; keep well covered. 

To Remove an Insect from the Ear, pour about a teaspoon- 
ful of warm sweet oil, or melted butter, into it to kill the insect 
and give relief. It can then be floated out with lukewarm water. 

To Remove a Fishbone from Throat — Cut a lemon in two 
and suck juice slowly; it softens the bone, giving instant relief. 

When Taking Sticky Medicine, first dip the spoon in hot 
water a moment till heated and medicine will slip out easily. 

Remedy for Cold on the Chest — Use turpentine and cam- 
phor to which add a few drops of eucalyptus oil; apply while 
hot and cover v/ith flannel. 

Rem«dy for Hoarseness. — Mix one-half cupful each of raw 
linseed oil, strained honey and alcohol. Take in teaspoon doses 



58 INTHESICKROOM 

as needed. Or, rub the throat and chest well with a mixturd| 
of five cents worth of camphor gum and ten cents worth of 
sweet oil; let this stand in a warm place till camphor dissolves. 

When Children Become Hoarse or Croupy, for quick relief 
scrape a little alum and mix it with honey — enough to give 
honey a puckery taste: warm it and give several teaspoons. 

Old-Fashioned Cough Remedy — To one quart of water add 
one ounce each of flaxseed, slippery elm and stick licorice; 
simmer until reduced one-half. Strain and sweeten with loaf 
sugar or strained honey; heat again and strain. Then bottle 
and give in teasnoon doses when needed. 

Remedy for Whooping Cough — To one-half cup of linseed 
oil add enough New Orleans molasses for a good emulsion. 
Give in teaspoon doses, when cough comes; continue till cough 
disappears entirely, which may take some time. 

Tea made from sunflower seeds, steeped in water, is said to 
be good for wliooping cough; give six times a day. 

When Children Complain of Stomach Trouble, mix a tea- 
spoonful of sugar and one-fourth teaspoonful baking soda in a 
cup of cold water; add one-half teaspoonful cream of tartar 
and give while effervescing. 

When Taking Castor Oil, mix it with white of egg and a 
little lemon juice; the taste of oil will scarcely be noticed. 

Put castor oil in orange juice, stir in a tiny bit of soda to 
make it foam, and children will consider it a treat. 

Mix a Mustard Plaster with white of an egg instead of hot 
water and it will not blister nor burn the skin. Warm camphor- 
ated oil is still better. 

To Prevent Discoloration of the Skin from a fall or blow, 
take a little dry starch, moisten it with cold water and lay it 
on the injured part. 

To Stop a Toothache — Insert in the cavity a bit of absorbent 
cotton which has been saturated with vaseline and burnt alum. 

To Relieve Headache, apply a hot water bottle to the calves 
of the legs. A nervous headache can often be cured by applica- 
tions of hot cloths to the soles of the feet and back of the neck. 
A sick headache can often be relieved by a pinch of salt on the 
tongue, washed down with a cup of strong hot tea. For bilious 
headache, add a tablespoon lemon juice to a cup of black coffee. 

New Uses for Macaroni — A stick of macaroni will serve in 
place of a glass tube for a patient who cannot sit up in bed to 
drink, or will sometimes induce a child to drink its milk when 
otherwise it would not. 

"When Baby Chokes — A choking infant can be quickly 
relieved by pressing between its eyes with the thumb and finger. 



^ AND BEAUTY HELPS 59 

W For Restless Baby — When the creeping baby is placed on 
the bed for his daily nap, use a large safety-pin to pin his 
clothes to the bed, or to'a strap fastened to head or foot of bed. 

When a Small Baby's Stomach is Upset, give the unbeaten 
white of an egg, a little at a time. 

Remedy for Colic — Mothers should remember that the 
worst case of colic can be cured by giving lime water in tea- 
spoonful doses — one dose is usually sufficient. 

When Bathing Baby, fold a thick turkish towel and lay it in 
the bottom of the bath to prevent slipping or injury from a fall. 

When Bathing Baby during hot summer months, add a little 
baking soda to the water to remedy prickly heat. 

For Scurf on Baby's Head, use common castor oil; rub the 
scalp well at night and wash it out the next morning. It is also 
a good tonic for the hair. White vaseline is also good for this 
purpose and promotes the growth of hair. 

For the Baby's First Teeth, use powdered chalk, flavored 
with wintergreen or cinnamon; apply with infant's toothbrush. 

To Preserve Children's First Teeth, wash them after each 
meal with lukewarm water to which add a little borax. A mix- 
ture of dry salt and baking soda on a toothbrush is also excel- 
lent; the soda loosens the tartar while the salt whitens them. 

To Harden the Gums and sweeten the breath, rinse the mouth 
each day with a little tincture of myrrh. 

When the Teeth Become Stained With Fruit remove the 
stains at once by rubbing them with a little salt. 

To Prevent or Cure Dandruff — Use a mixture of one part 
apple juice and three parts water. Apply it twice a week. 

To Remove All Dirt and Grease from the Hair, wet it with 
warm water and then rub into the scalp the juice of a lemon. 
Then rinse the hair well and dry it on a soft towel. This will 
leave the hair soft and glossy. 

A Good and Cheap Shampoo — Beat well together the white 
and yolk of an egg and add one teaspoonful of liquid green 
soap. Apply with fingertips, parting hair in several places 
and rubbing it well into scalp. Rinse once each with hot, tepid 
and cold waters. Gray hair should be shampooed with white 
soap, as any other kind may leave it yellow. 

Dry Shampoo for Light Hair — Mix together (dry) two 
ounces of oatmeal or cornmeal and one ounce of powdered 
orris root; shake it well into the hair, leave for a while and 
brush it out; this v/ill keep the hair nice and fluffy. 
_ Egg Shampoo — Beat the whites of two eggs as stiff as pos- 
sible; take all of the egg, a handful at a time, and rub it in the 
scalp with a light circular movement of the fingers. Dry hair 



60 IN THE SICK ROOM ^ 

in the sun for twenty minutes; then brush with a cleaning brusH 
for several minutes. This leaves the hair clean and fluffy. 

A Good Hair Tonic — Make a quart of strong sage tea, add 
a tcaspoonful of salt, and apply to the scalp three times a week 
to prevent hair turning gray or falling out. 

To Stop Falling Hair, rub the scalp with a freshly cut onion; 
this stimulates the growth of hair. 

A Good Tonic for Falling Hair — Thirty-two grams of white 
vaseline; sixteen grams of castor oil; four grams of gallic acid; 
add to this eight drops of essence of lavender. 

An Excellent Tonic to promote health and growth of hair is 
castor oil. Apply to scalp three times a week in small quanti- 
ties with a medicine dropper and rub it in well with fingers. 
For an agreeable odor, add to oil a few drops of oil of lavender. 

To Make Light Hair Lighter, wash it once every two weeks 
in light ale; this also cleans and benefits the scalp. 

To Make Dark Hair Darker, massage the scalp nightly with 
a small quantity of olive oil, persistent treatment required for 
best results. 

To Make the Hair Lie Flat, dissolve some quince seed in a 
little rosewater and apply to the hair. 

To Make Hair Curly, use the above before curling and keep 
Tnraves in place with hairpins; let dry well, then brush lightly. 

To Keep the Hair in Curl — A teaspoonful of ordinary tea, 
steeped in a tin cup with a little sugar, will keep the hair in 
curl a week or more. Add a little alcohol to the tea and it will 
keep for several days. 

To Clean Hair Ribbons, use a teaspoonful of baking soda to 
one quart of boiling water; shake the ribbons in this a few 
seconds, rinse in cold water, wrap in a towel a few minutes and 
press with a hot iron. 

To Clean Ivory Combs, use alcohol and an old toothbrush. 

To Clean a Hair Brush, mix a half cupful each of flour and 
salt and rub it through the bristles. 

To Stiffen the Bristles in a Hair Brush, dip it in milk and 
water, using equal parts. 

To Dry Clean a Comb and Brush, sprinkle cornmeal on the 
brush bristles and run comb through them till both arc clean. 

Before Washing Ebony Hair Brushes, rub a little vaseline 
over the backs to prevent injury from the ammonia or soda; 
afterward rub it off carefully and polish with a dry cloth. 

To Clean Hair Brushes and Combs — Use a tcaspoonful of 
ammonia in a quart of hot water; dip the brush up and down 
an it, and let the comb remain in it a few minutes. Rinse in 
cold water. Dry brushes with bristles dov/n, in the shade. 



TO SERVE WITH 

Roast beef — grated horseradish. 
Roast mutton — currant jelly. 
Boiled mutton — caper sauce. 
Roast pork — apple sauce. 
Roast lamb — mint sauce. 
Venison or wild duck — black cur- 
rant jelly. 
Roast goose — apple sauce. 
Roast turkey — oyster sauce. 
Roast chicken — bread sauce. 



MEATS AND FISH 

Compofe of pigeons — mushroom 

sauce. 
Broiled fresh mwckerel — sauce of 

stewed gooseberries. 
Broiled bluefish — white cream 

sauce. 
Broiled shad — rice. 
Fresh salmon — green peas with 

cream sauce. 



HOW TO SERVE POTATOES 

Serve potatoes plain boiled only when they are new. 

With roasts, serve potatoes mashed, or roasted in the pan with the 

meat. 
With fricaseed meats, or roast pork, serve baked potatoes. 
With broiled steak, serve creamed potatoes and a vegetable, such as 

eggplant, etc. 
With chicken or lamb, etc., serve mashed potatoes. 

HOUSEHOLD WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 



3 Teaspoonfuls. . ,1 Tablespoonfnl 

1/^ Cupful 1 Gill 

2 Cupfuls 1 Pint 



2^-2 Cupfuls powd, sugar. 1 Pound 
4 Tablespoonfuls flour, or % 
cupful .1 Ounce 



2 Tablespoonfuls butter..! Ounce 1 Cupful flour 4 Ounces 



2 Cupfuls butter 1 Pound 

2 Tablespoonfuls sugar 
2 Cupfuls gran, sugar. 



4 Cupfuls flour 1 Pound 

1 Ounce 1 Tablespoonfnl liquid... % Ounce 
1 Pound Eight eggs equal 1 Pound 



TIME TABLE FOR COOKING 



MEAT, FISH OR FOWL 
For Broiling 

Steak, 1 to IVz inches thick 

10 to 15 minutes 
Lamb chops..,, 10 to 12 minutes 
Mutton chops.,. 12 to 15 minutes 

Chicken 20 to 80 minutes 

Bluefish 20 minutes 

For Roasting 
Beef, per pound. 8 to 10 minutes 
Beef, well done, per pound .... 

10 to 15 minutes 

Beef, filet 20 to 30 minutes 

Leg of lamb, per pound 

15 minutes 

Pork, per pound 30 minutes 

Chicken, 3 to 4 pounds 

1 to IVz hours 
Turkey, 10 pounds. 3 to B'^ hours 
For Boiling 

Beef, 3 to 4 pounds 

3^^ to 4 hours 
Corned beef, 4 to 5 pounds.... 

4 to 5 hours 
Chicken, 3 pounds IVz hours 



Ham, 12 to 14 pounds 

4 to 5 hours 
CEREALS 

Quaker Oats 1 hour 

Pettijohn, or Wheatena 

30 minutes 

Rice 25 to 30 minutes 

VEGETABLES 
Potatoes, boiled. 20 to 30 minutes 
Potatoes, baked. 30 to 45 minutes 
Green peas, boiled 

20 to 40 minutes 
String beans, boiled..! to 2 hours 
Green corn, boiled.... 15 minutes 

Spinach 25 to 35 minutes 

Asparagus 15 to 30 minutes 

Cabbage, or Onions ,. 

45 to 60 minutes 

Cauliflower 20 to 35 minutes 

Turnips, or Parsnips 

30 to 45 minutes 
Beets (Summer) 

45 to 60 minutes 

Beets (Winter) 2 to 4 hours 

Carrots 45 to 60 minutes 



Slake one-quartc^ 
r^ered; then strain^ 



Recipe for Whitewash (will not zvash off) 
barrel of lime with boiling water, keep it covei 
Dissolve one-half peck of salt in warm water, and boil one and 
one-half pounds of rice floirr in w^ater to a thin paste, adding 
both to the lime. Also add one gill of Spanish whiting and 
one-half pint of clear glue dissolved in warm water. Let mix- 
ture stand several days, then heat and apply while hot. 

Handy Fruit Picker for Farmers and Suburbanites — Take a 
large tomato can or other tin can and cut a V-shaped hole in 
one side at the top, about iy2 inches wide and 2]^ inches deep. 
On the opposite side of the V-shaped hole, nail the can to a 
long pole. This device is useful for picking apples and many 
varieties of fruit from upper branches where almost impossible 
to reach by ladder and prevents damage to fruit by falling. 

To Remove a Tight Ring — Take a yard of cotton cord, soak 
it in soapsuus, glycerine or oil and wind it snugly around finger 
from near fingertip to knuckle joint; then pass end of string 
under ring, and, pulling the string tight, unwind it. The tightly 
wound string will lessen the blood pressure near the ring, and, 
little by little, the string presses the flesh and pulls off the ring. 

Javelle Water or French Bleach — Dissolve in an agate pan 
one pound of washing soda in one quart of boiling water. Mix 
one-half pound chloride lime in two quarts of cold water and 
let it settle; then pour the clear liquid into the dissolved soda, 
put in corked bottles and keep in a dark place. Used chiefly 
to remove stains from white goods: Take equal parts of Javelle 
water and hot water and soak stains until they disappear; rinse 
several times in clean water and then in a solution of one table- 
spoonful of ammonia to two quarts of water to remove odor of 
lime. Do not use on colored goods, nor in too strong solution. 

INDEX 



Aluraimim, Cleaning Helps... 21 

Ants. Remedies for 18 

Apple riolps Cover 2, 16 

Baby, Helps for 58, 59 

Banana.s, To Ripen 17 

Bathroom Helps 28, 29 

Beans. Baking Helps 17 

Beauty Helps 55, 56 

Bed Bu2:s, To Destroy 27 

Bedroom Helps 26, 27 

Bleodinir, To Stop 57 

Boot and Shoe Helps 45, 46 

Bottles, How to Cut 40 

Bottles, Vases, Etc 20 

Brass (Beds, etc.) To Clean. 26, 58 
Bread. Rolls, Etc.. Helos for.l2, 13 
Breakfast Food. Substitute... 13 

Bronze, To Clean 53 

Broom Helps 23 



Brushes. Paint, To Clean.... 41 
IUjgts, Insects, Remedies. ... 17, 18 

J'ufns, Etc., Remedies 54 

Buiter Helps Cover 2, 3, 4 

Cake and IMe Flelps 13-15 

Carpet and Rui:: Helps 46, 47 

Castor Oil, To Take 58 

Cellar. Damp or Musty 41 

Celluloid. To Mend 41 

Chair Helps 46 

Chapped Hands and Lips.... 8, 55 

Che^^se, How to Keep 11 

Chicken and Turkey Helps.. 10, 11 

Chilblains. Remedy For 66 

C!)imney and Ijamp Helps. ... 23 

China and Dish Helps 19, 20 

Cistern or Well. To Furify... 39 

Cleaner Recipe for Cloth 44 

Cleaning Fluid, Useful 7 



INDEX 



63 



Cleaning Helps (Clothes) 43-45 

Clotbes, How to Whiten 30 

Clothes, Sprinliling, Bleaching 32 

Clothing Helps 44 

Coffee and Cocoa Helps...... 6 

Cold or Hoarseness, Kemedy.57, 58 

Colic, Remedy for (Baby) 59 

Colors, How to Restore 34 

Colors, How to Set 34 

Comb and Brush Helps 60 

Concreie, To Whiten 48 

Copper Kettles, Etc., To Clean 22 

Cordurov, To Clean 45 

C»rns, Kelief for 56 

Corset, Vr'hite, To Clpan 45 

Cough Remedy, Old-Fashioned. 58 
Curtains, Laco, Helps for... 27, 32 
Cushion and Pillow Helps. ... 27 
Custard, To Prevent Burning. 11 

Cut Olass. Polish for 20 

Cuts on Glass, Etc., Remedies. 57 

Dandruff, To Cure §0 

Dish and China Helps 19, 20 

Dishcloths, How to Make 19 

Doughnut Helps 14 

Earache, Etc., Relief From... 57 

Ear, Insect in 57 

Egg Cooking Helps 11, 12 

Egg Dyes for Colorin'X 41 

Enameled Ware, to Clean.... 19 

Eyeglass Helps 40 

'Eye, Grit in, Relief 57 

Faucets, To Polish 7 

Feet, Helps for the 56 

Felon, For Relief from 56 

Fern Helps 51 

Fire, To Extinguish 3 

Fireplace Bricks, To Clean... 27 
Fireproof Garments, To Make 31 

Fishbone in Throat 57 

Fish Helps 11 

Flies and Mosquitoes 17, 50 

Floor Polishes and Helps. . .24, 48 

Flower Helps 52 

Fly Paper, Home-Made 17 

Food Chopper Helps 9 

Food, S;'lty, Remedy 3 

Fowls. Insects on 50 

Frames, Gilt, Helps for 28 

Freckles, Remedy for 56 

Fruit Helps 4, 5 

Fruit Jars, To Open 4 

Fruit Picker, Handy 62 

Fruit Stains, To Remove. .. .34, 3.') 

Fur Helps 45 

Furniture and Woodwork, .. 48, 50 
Furniture, Loather, Polish. .. . 27 
Furniture Polishes, Stains.. 48, 49 



Gaiters, White, To Clean 45 

Gas and Store Helps 7, 2X 

Gasoline Cleaning Helps 43 

Gasoline Iron, Protection.... 31 

Gilt Articles, To Clean 53 

Gilt Frames, Etc., Helps for. . 28 

Glass, Cement for 41 

Glass, Frosting for 54 

Glass, Polish for 20 

Glove Helps 42 

Gnats, To Keep Away 51 

Gold and Silver, To Clean 53 

Grater, How to Clean 4 

Grease Stains, To Remove. ... 37 

Gum, To Remove 38 

Hair Brush and Comb Helps. 60 

Hair, Helps for the 59, 60 

Hand and Face Helps 8, 55, 56 

Handkerchief Helps 30 

Hardwood Floors, Polish... 24, 48 

Hats, Cleaning Helps 43, 44 

Headache, Relief from 58 

Hiccoughs, Remedy for 57 

Hoarseness or Colds 57, 58 

Ice Cre:im Helps 42 

Ice on Steps 40 

Ink Stains, To Remove 38, 3» 

Insect Helps 50, 51, 57 

Insects, Bugs, Remedies. ... 17, 18 

Invalid!?, Helps for 54 

Ironing Helps 29 

Ivorv, Stains on 53 

Ivy 'poisoning. Relief from.. 56, 57 

.Jam and Jelly Helps 4 

Javelle Water, Recipe for.... &2 
Kerosene Fire, To Put Out. . . 3 
Kitchen Memo. Tablet for. ... 7 / 

Kitchen Table Helps 6 ■ 

Knife Handles, To Clean 20 

Label, Paper, To Remove 41 

Lace Curtain Helps 27, 32 

Lace, How to Clean 33, 45 

I.,amp and Chimnev Helps.... 23 

Loundry Helps 29-34 

Leather Furniture 49 

Lf-mons, Helps in Using 15 i 

Linoleum Helps 24 -* 

Marble, To Clean 54 

Matches. To Waterproof 39 

Matting Helps 47 

Meot and P^owl Helps 10 

Medical Helps 54-59 

Mice and Rats 50 

xMildew. To Remove 36, 37 

Milk Helps 4, 14 

Mirror. To Clean 28 

Mosquito and Fly Helps. 17, 51, 57 
Moth Preventives 50 



I 



64 IN 

Mucilage or Glue, Dried 41 

Mushrooms, To Judge 17 

Mustard, Recipe for 5 

Mustard Plaster, To Make... 58 

Nail (Finger) Polish 55 

Nail, Screw, Etc., Helps 42 

Nail, Rusty, If You Step on.. 57 

Nickel, To Clean 53 

Nose Bleed, Remedy for 57 

Oilcloth Helps 24 

Oil Mop, To Clean 47 

Odors on Hands 

Odors, Cocking- 9 

Odor, Perspiration, Remedy... 29 

Olive Helps 5 

Oysters, To Improve 11 

Paint and Varnish Helps 41 

Paint, Match Marks on 48 

Paint on Hardwood Floors... 47 

Paint, To Remove 36 

Paint. White, To Clean 48 

Pancake Smoke, To Avoid.... 12 

Pans, Enamel, To Clean 19 

Pantry Helps 7 

Paraffin Helps . 4 

Parlor Helps 27, 28 

Paste, Good Recipe 40 

Pecan Nuts, To Crack 6 

Perspiration Odor, Remedy... 29 

Petticoat, Silk, To Clean 45 

Piano Keys, To Clean 39 

Picture Helps 27, 42 

Pie and Cake Helps 13-15 

Pillow and Cushion Helps.... 27 

Pincushions, Stuffing for 26 

Pipes, Leaky 39 

Plant Helps 51, 52 

Plaster Walls, To Mend 52 

Plumes, White, To Clean 45 

Poison, To Avoid Mistakes... 39 

Poison Ivy, Relief from.... 56, 57 

Popcorn, To Pop Better 6 

Potato Helps 16 

Putty, To Remove 23 

Raincoat, To Clean 43 

Raisin Helps 14 

Rats and Mice 50 

Refrigerator Helps 7 

Rhubarb, To Can 17 

Rice Helps 11 

Ring, Tight, To Remove 62 

Rolls, Bread. Etc., Helps for. 12, 13 

Rubber Goods, To Preserve... 39 

Rubber Plant, To Grow 52 

Rug and Carpet Helps 46, 47 

Sachet Powder, Recipe for. . . 26 

Salad Helps 5 

Salt, Damp, Remedy 11 



DEX 



i 



Scorched Food, Remedy 3 

Scorched Spots, To Bleach... 33 

Screv/, Nail, Eve, Helps 42 

Sewing Room Helps 25, 26 

Shampoo, A Good 59 

Shine, Clothing, To Remove. . 44 

Shoe and Boot Helps 45, 46 

Shortcake, To Cut 13 

Silk Cleaning Helps 33, 44, 45 

Silver, Cleaning Helps, Etc. .20, 21 

Silver, Sterling, To Clean 53 

Skin Helps 55, 56 

Skin, Discolor, To Prevent. . . 58 

Snake Bite, Remedy for 56 

Soup Helps 3, 4 

Sparrows, To Drive Away... 50 

Splinter Under Nail 56 

Sponge, To Clean 29 

Sprain, To Relieve 56 

Stain for Wood Floors 25 

Stains, To Remove 34-39 

Starching Helps 30, 31 

Stocking Mending Helps 25 

Stove ilclps 7 

Superfluous Hair, To Remove. 55 

Sweaters, To Clean 45 

Tanned Skin, To Prevent..., 56 

Tea Helps 6 

Teakettle Helps 6 

Teeth, Helps for the 59 

Tiles, Glazed, To Clean 53 

Tinware Helps 18 

Toilet Water, Perfume 28 

Toothache, Remedv for 58 

Toys, Woolen, To Clean 43 

Turkey and Chicken Helps.. 10, 11 
Varnish and Paint Helps... 41, 48 

Vases, Bottles, Etc 20, 39 

Vegetahle Helps 3, 16, 17 

Velvet, To Clean 45 

Wallpaper Helps 25, 52, 53 

Wails, Painted, To Wash 23 

Warts, Remedy for 56 

Wash Basin, Clogged 28 

Washbowl and Tub, To Clean. 28 

Washing Helps 29-34 

W^ater, Drinking, Test for. ... 4 

Water, To Soften 31 

Weeds, To Kill 51 

Well or Cistern, To Purify 39 

White Kid, How to Clean 43 

Whitewash, Recipe for 62 

Whooping Cough, Remedy for. 58 
Willow I'\irniture, To Clean. . 50 
Window Helps, Cleaning. . .22, 23 
W^oodwork and Furniture. ... 48-50 

W^oolen, Washing Helps 31 

Zinc, To Clean 53, 54 



21 



Cheap Fudge, But Excellent — To two cups sugar add one 

ip water, three. tablespoons cocoa, and a small pinch of salt; 
"boil until it makes a soft ball in water. Then add a tablespoon 
of butter and cool it in a basin o^ water. Add vanilla flavoring 
(ji teaspoon), stirring until creamy and pour on buttered dish. 

Chocolate Fudge — Cook 2 cups sugar, ^ cup milk, 2/3 cup 
water, 2 squares unsweetened chocolate, stirring constantly 
until soft ball is formed when dropped in water. Add 1 table- 
spoon butter and remove from stove. ^ Let stand till nearly cold; 
then add ^4 teaspoon vanilla, beating hard till it begins to 
thicken. Spread on buttered pan till cool and cut in squares. 
May be varied by addition of nuts or cocoanut. 

Fudge Hints — Substituting sweet cream for milk adds to 
richness of fudge. 

A few drops of molasses added to fudge after boiling five 
minutes will improve its flavor and keep it from getting sugary 
if boiled a little too long. 

If 1 teaspoonful of cornstarch is added for each clip of sugar, 
chocolate fudge will be smooth and creamy with little beating. 

A pleasing change in fudge is to season it with spices, or to 
add a few chopped dates, figs, or marshmallows. 

For a fine dish of chocolate fudge, instead of nuts, stir in, 
when it begins to cream, as much as it will take of some flaked 
ready-to-eat breakfast food. 

SUMMER DRINKS 

In serving fancy drinks of any kind it is most essential to 
garnish them with slices of fruit in season. 

Summer Drink — Take 3 pounds seedless raisins, 4 lemons, 
cut into thin slices, and 14 pound sugar; put in stone or earth- 
enware jar, pour on 6 quarts of water and let stand 3 days, 
stirring 3 or 4 times each day. Then strain the liquid through 
flannel and pour into stone bottles, not quite filling them. Cork 
the bottles and wire down tightly. Keep in cool cellar and in 
3 weeks it is ready for use. 

Grape Juice Nectar — Take 1 pint pure grape juice,^ J^ cup 
sugar, add juice of 2 lemons and 1 pint water. Mix well, 
garnish each glass with thin slices of lemon or orange, or both 
and serve ice cold. 

Lemonade with Grape Juice and Marshmallow Float — Ta: 
as many glasses as needed and fill each two-thirds full of v. . 
sweetened lemonade; add a cube of ice and fill glass wi*^. ■ 
one inch of top with pure grape juice and place marshmallc*^ \ 
it. Serve at once with spoon and straw. Pour grape J"''^^.^ 
very carefully on the ice and it will float on top. Have^ ^° 
of marshmallows handy to replenish the float. 



BIRTH STONES ANl 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



Jan. 

Feb. 




May 
June 
July 



014 180 379 7 



Ity 



Garnet 

Amethyst 

March Bloodstone or Aquamarine 
April Diamond 

Emerald 

Pearl or Moonstone ix^c.^.^ ^^ ^^„ "^ 

Ruby Content and Charity 

August Sardonyx or Peridot Conjugal Fidelity and Happiness 

Sept. Sapphire Prevents Evil 

Oct. Opal or Tourmaline Hope 

Nov. Topaz Fidelity and Friendship 

Dec. Turquoise or Lapis lazuli. . .Prosperity 



WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES 



Cotton 1st year 

Paper 2d year 

Leather 3d year 

Fruit and Flowers.. 4th year 

Wooden 5th year 

Sugar 6th year 

Woolen 7th year 

India Rubber 8th year 

Willow 9th year 

Tin 10th year 

Steel 11th year 



Silk and Fine Linen 

12th 

Lace 13th 

Ivory 14th 

Crystal . V 15th 

China 20th 

Silver 25th 

Pearl 30th 

Ruby 40th 

Golden 50th 

Diamond 75th 



year 
year 
year 
year 
year 
year 
year 
year 
year 
year 



OLD BIBLE RECIPES 

1 — If you have the blues read the 27th Psalm. 

2 — If your pocketbook is empty read the 37th Psalm. 

3 — If people seem unkind re^d the 15th chapter of St. 
John. 

4 — If you are discouraged about your work read the 
126th Psalm. 

5 — If you are all out of sorts read the 12th chapter of 
Hebrews. 

6 — If you are losing confidence in mankind read the 13th 
chapter of Corinthians. 

7 — If you can't have your own way in everything read the 
Id chapter of St. James. 



[others' Day is the second Sunday in May. The white 
^%ation is " Mothers' Day Flower," because it embodies 
all\ true mother's virtues: — its whiteness stands for purity; 
Jts Wm, beauty; its fragrance, love; its wide field of growth, 
charW; its lasting qualities, faithfulness. If rnother is living, 
wearV colored carnation; if not living, a white one. 



